Blast-Resistant Design of Structures

Abstract

The strategy for dealing with the blast-induced threats against a structure requires attention from planning and design stages, as introducing or altering various blast response mitigation strategies becomes either difficult or impossible later on. Blast response mitigation strategies can be incorporated in the structural design at concept stage, leading to a well-designed and -constructed structure that can exhibit improved blast resistance and at the same time maintain its architecturally appealing appearance. This requires knowledge of (1) intelligent strategies in the form of blast source isolation strategies or using advanced engineered materials, (2) material behavior under such loading, and (3) postexplosion functioning of the structure and its elements. In this paper, various strategies for blast mitigation are reviewed and discussed with an emphasis on presenting a comprehensive assessment of blast response mitigation technologies beginning from the necessary discussion on fundamental aspects of blast-induced impulsive loading and material characterization, especially at high strain rates. Apart from describing functioning of the commonly adopted measures, emphasis has been laid on the mechanics of the sacrificial blast wall and design using various materials used for its construction.