Analysis of CFRP Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Structural Components Subjected to Close-In Blasts

Abstract

This paper presents a simple procedure for the analysis of strengthened and unstrengthened reinforced concrete slabs under close-in blast loadings. The simplified procedure provides a tool to quickly check a slab or verify the results of a more advanced computer analysis. The procedure divides the response of the slab into breach, direct shear, flexural, and membrane behaviors and provides equations and references on how to calculate the capacity of each behavior. The procedure first checks the most severe failure modes, then progresses to other modes. The procedure was used to analyze the response of four slabs subjected to blasts; two of the slabs were strengthened with carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) on the back face. The procedure was also used to analyze the response of a reinforced concrete box specimen strengthened with CFRP. The simple procedure accurately predicted the peak deflection of the slabs to close-in blast loadings.

Field Tests on Spalling Damage of Reinforced Concrete Slabs under Close-In Explosions

“…Cui et al [24] investigated the failed mechanism of RC columns under close-in explosions using a fluid-solid coupling numerical method, and they also proposed a rapid damage assessment method for RC columns under close-in explosions. Orton et al [25] also used the numerical method to analyze the damage of strengthened and unstrengthened RC slabs under close-in blast loadings. Ibrahim et al [26] developed the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based method to predict the damage (spalling/cratering) size of RC slab under near field explosions.…”

Evaluation of a mechanical anchoring system to improve performance of carbon fiber reinforced polymer mitigated concrete slabs under close in blasts

“…It must also be noted that close-in blasts are typically of a very short duration. This can cause failure modes not normally seen under other conditions (Baseheart 1983;Orton 2013).…”

“…21 -Wet-layup CFRP applied to the tension face of a concrete slab to be tested at a scaled range of 1.5. Note the extensive use of fiber anchors(Orton 2013).…”