IMPROVING CONCRETE INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION USING DIFFERENT GRID TYPES AGAINST IMPACT LOADS

Majeed, Muslim

IMPROVING CONCRETE INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION USING DIFFERENT GRID TYPES AGAINST IMPACT LOADS

Document Type : Scientific and technological

Author

Muslim Majeed

Carleton University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ottawa, Canada

Abstract

Protection of existing reinforced concrete structures against impact loads caused by blast has become a major concern of designers, engineers and security authorities. The release of high speed loads such as explosives can generate high pressures on the structures resulting in fragmentation that can lead to serious damage to the asset and injuries and death to people.
The main objective of this paper is to report the results of a comprehensive experimental investigation performed on reinforced concrete panels of 600 x 600 x 100 mm, retrofitted with different grids including poly-propylene, poly-ethylene and steel meshes. The testing program includes applying impact tests utilizing a falling weight test facility and fragmentation simulation using special air gun test facility.
Tests results and information including deflections, penetration measurements were gathered in addition to taking pictures and videos which were used to calculate applied and absorbed kinetic energy, penetration depth after each loading step and the weight and speed of concrete fragmentations during the tests. The results and analysis of the data and observations showed that the concrete panels retrofitted with combination of steel mesh and poly-ethylene grid provided the most promising retrofitting protection when compared with other options.
The results provide an economic and effective technique for improving the protection of existing governmental and buildings of critical importance.

Keywords

References

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