Author(s)

CHARLES OSWALD

Abstract

Structural components are typically designed to resist blast loads with rigid connections. An innovative approach for blast design is to support blast-loaded cladding components on a building with energy absorbing connections (EACs), which deform as they resist the dynamic reaction load from the component. The EACs and the structural component both deform dynamically to absorb the energy applied by the blast load, such that the EACs limit the peak dynamic reaction load transmitted into the supporting structure and reduce the damage to the supported component compared to traditional rigid supports. This paper discusses a series of comparable shock tube tests of precast concrete panels that are supported by EACs and by rigid supports. The panels were tested with shock loads similar to those from large high explosive threats, including tests to investigate the EAC response during the negative phase of the blast load.

Keywords

energy absorbing connections, blast loads