Cost-Effective Decision Making for Blast Mitigation

Abstract

Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States (U.S.), there has been a marked increase in both public and private sector demand for increased blast-mitigation for existing buildings. To adequately address these new performance requirements, a rational and cost-oriented policy is needed to help building managers and owners make fiscally intelligent decisions regarding the retrofitting of existing structures. This paper presents a cost-rationalized approach to blast-mitigation retrofitting decision making, with respect to a building's criticality to the surrounding community. The proposed method addresses current approaches to blast assessment, typical blast-related vulnerabilities (structural and non-structural), and possible solutions for vulnerability mitigation. Special emphasis is given to non-gravity based loadings, post-incident functionality requirements, and transient versus permanent/semi-permanent loading.