Alternatives to prevent progressive collapse protecting reinforced concrete columns subjected to near field blast loading

Abstract

Extensive research activities in the field of blast loads have taken place in the last few decades. Explosive blast research is important not only for the understanding of damage caused by explosions but also for predicting vulnerability of structures and human to blast and for the development of blast-resistant materials and protective elements. In this sense, the façade columns in buildings are key elements to protect in order to avoid progressive collapse. In this paper, a numerical-experimental study of the dynamic response of reinforced concrete (RC) columns with different sacrificial layers of protection is presented. Different alternatives of protection of RC columns are designed and studied, from classical steel jacketing to crushable materials. The mitigation of shock and absorption of energy under blast loading conditions is studied by numerical and experimental methods. For comparison purposes, a RC column without protection is also tested and studied. The obtained results are useful to explore new alternatives of protection of RC columns as well as to calibrate numerical codes.