Cost Effective Strengthening Measures to Increase the Blast Resistance of Structures Adjacent to Explosive Facilities

摘要

The paper includes the description of the recent R & D efforts (1991 - 1994) in researching, developing, testing and building practical strengthening measures for existing civilian buildings to increase their resistance against explosive effects. The strengthening measures refer to all types of building elements sensitive to blast loadings, such as windows, doors, light roofs and weak ceilings, as constructed in normal unhardened buildings. The strengthening measures comprise additional means for improving the blast resistance of existing elements, as well as new blast-resistant elements, replacing the existing ones. The strengthening measures cost-effectiveness as well as their implementation are also discussed. It was repeatedly found that normal buildings are severely damaged by blast loadings from nearby explosions. At larger distances the most sensitive building components are the normal glass windows, which fail under low blast overpressures. At closer ranges, the doors in the building start failing, followed by light roofs and ceilings. As the blast level increases, normal brick and masonry walls fail and at close ranges the structural elements: columns, beams, etc. begin to 'feel' the blast loadings. Thus a five-year research and development program (1991-1995) to test, develop and define strengthening measures for existing buildings components, to increase their blast resistance, was initiated by the Israeli Home Front Command (previously Civil Defense).