Steel-fibre-reinforced concrete panels exposed to air blast loading

Scaled explosive tests have been conducted to investigate the response of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete (SFRC) model structural elements. The structural-elements mere (a) rectangular panels, simply supported on two opposing shorter edges, (b) square panels, simply supported on all edges, and (c) fully fixed panels, in the form of an open box. Seven air blast tests were conducted. For each test, six panels were exposed simultaneously to air blast overpressure generated from the detonation of bare high explosives; charge weights ranged from 8 kg to 40 kg. The panels were fabricated with different types of steel fibre, fibre concentration and conventional weldmesh reinforcement. Test results indicate that, as a construction material, SFRC can make an important contribution to the integrity and resistance of blast-resistant structures. Details of the experimental investigation and response of the panels are presented. A single-degree-of-freedom model, which incorporates an elastic-plastic structural resistance function for the dynamic analysis, is used to predict the response. The deformed con figuration of the panels was computed at constant load steps, and the results were employed to evaluate the parameters of an equivalent dynamic model. Comparisons of computed and measured residual displacements are presented.