Factors affecting the response of steel columns to close-in detonations

Abstract

[EN] Explosions produced in urban areas by the detonation of explosives are low-probability but high-impact events. When they occur in the immediate vicinity of buildings, the explosions can pose a high risk to the structural integrity (local/global failures) and to the occupants (risk of injury, death). Therefore, the design and the construction of the buildings should contain preventive measures to increase the robustness of the structures. The paper presents the results of recent research carried out on the safety of building structures under extreme actions. Blast tests performed on two identical 3D specimen extracted from a typical moment resisting steel frame structure, allow to calibrate the numerical models of a full scale building structural frame system and evaluate the consequences of close-in detonations on the structural elements. The data of the experimental testing, combined with the numerical modelling, allow to investigate different factors, such as dynamic factors that affect the local failure mechanism and the residual capacity of steel columns under different blast scenarios.