Full-Scale Blast Tests on a Conventionally Designed Three-Story Steel Braced Frame with Composite Floor Slabs

Abstract

This paper summarizes the findings of two full-scale blasts tests on a steel braced frame structure with composite floor slabs, which are representative of a typical office building. The aim of this research study was to experimentally characterize the behavior of conventionally designed steel braced frames to blast loads when enclosed with conventional and blast-resistant façade. The two tests involved a three-story, steel braced frame with concentrical steel braces, which are designed to resist typical gravity and wind loads without design provisions for blast or earthquake loads. During the first blast test, the structure was enclosed with a typical, non-blast-resistant, curtainwall façade, and the steel frame sustained minimal damage. For the second blast test, the structure was enclosed with a blast-resistant façade, which resulted in higher damage levels with some brace connections rupturing, but the building did not collapse. Observations from the test program indicate the appreciable reserved capacity of steel brace frame structures to resist blast loads.

Progressive Collapse of Buildings

“…Thus, cladding characteristics are a paramount design parameter for blast mitigation. Along the same lines, the experimental work by Hadjioannou et al [2] demonstrates the great impact that façade properties can have on the lateral resisting system. Their consideration in the design of the structure is very important if undesirable and unexpected structural failures are to be avoided.…”