Blast resistant buildings: construction Structures

The overpressure-consequence relationship in Table 5.3 is given for typical buildings of ordinary construction (i.e., not blast-resistant design). This qualitative characterization of consequences does not explicitly account for the specific structural characteristics of a particular plant building nor does it account for the impulse or duration of the blast wave. As a result, the... 

Non-structural considerations such as safety, operation, architecture, cost and owner preference may dictate the shape, orientation, and layout of a plant building. In establishing these, however, the engineer should also consider the requirements for blast resistant construction. 

The majority of dynamic analyses performed in blast resistant design of petrochemical facilities are made using SDOF approximations. Common types of construction, such as single story plane frames, cantilever barrier walls and compact box-like buildings are approximated as SDOF systems. Several examples of such structures are illustrated in Figure 6.2. 

For exposed buildings, usually monolithic construction is utilized, such as reinforced concrete structures, to withstand explosive blasts. The design strength of the structures is determined by the estimated blast force and the specific detailed design particulars of the structural components. Entranceways are provided with heavy blast resistant doors that do not face exposed areas. 

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