Blast-resistant structures

Tayout also has a significant role in minimizing the probability of ignition of a flammable release. Area electrical classification provides the basis for the control of electrical ignition sources. This classification is also used to determine the areas that require protection from vehicular access, etc. Frequently, highly hazardous processes that can result in overpressure (e.g., hydrogenation) are placed behind blast resistant structures/walls. 

If, on the other hand, a vapor cloud s explosive potential is the starting point for, say, advanced design of blast-resistant structures, TNT blast may be a less than satisfactory model. In such cases, the blast wave s shape and positive-phase duration must be considered important parameters, so the use of a more realistic blast model may be required. A fuel-air charge blast model developed through the multienergy concept, as suggested by Van den Berg (1985), results in a more realistic representation of a vapor cloud explosion blast. 

Eliminate windows by filling in window openings with more blast-resistant structural materials... 

Since blast-resistant design is based on structural response beyond elastic limits into the inelastic range, buildings should be carefully designed in a manner that minimizes stress concentrations, brittle behavior, and abrupt failures. Some of the significant design considerations for steel and reinforced concrete blast-resistant structures are briefly summarized in this section. 

In all blast-resistant structures (steel, concrete, or masonry) special attention should be given to the integrity of connections between structural elements up to the point of maximum response. For example, it is important to prevent premature brittle failure of welded connections to avoid stress concentrations or notches at joints in steel structures and to provide ductile reinforcement detailing in concrete/masonry structure connections. For all materials, it is recommended that connections be designed to be stronger than the connected structural members such that the more ductile member will govern the design over the more brittle connection. 

Another consideration in developing connection details for blast resistant structures is the provision for redundant load path. Because these elements may be stressed near their ultimate capacity the possibility of single failures must be considered. Where possible, it is desirable to provide an alternate load path should a failure occur. Consideration should be given to the number of components in the load path and the consequences of single failures. The key concept in the development of these details is to trace the load or reaction through the connection. This is much more critical in blast design than in conventionally loaded structures. 

This chapter presents an overview of various details applicable to blast resistant structures. Many details for conventional steel and concrete structures, and specific details for seismic design, are applicable to these structures and are not included. Details should meet the requirements of design capacity, energy absorption, and ductility. 

NEFC 1986, Blast Resistant Structures, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Design Manual 2.08, Alexandria, VA, 1986... 

R. M. Rindner and W. Wachtell - Custom Designed Blast Resistant Structures - Presented at the Seminar on "Disaster Hazards" Sponsored by the Central States Section of the Combustion Institute at the Manned Spacecraft Center Houston, Texas, 7-8 April 1970... 

BakerRisk quarterly bulletins are available for an 8-year period. These bulletins address facility siting blast resistance structures explosions in pipehnes modehng aspects of LNG spill and more. See http //www.bakerrisk.com. 

Many other FRP composite structures have been field implemented with ease of erection and excellent in-service performance. Some of these other FRP composite structures are as follows poles, pipes, platforms, wind mrbine blades, blast-resistant structures, housing panels, and others. Relevance of these applications with FRP composites, including potential volume of use/application is described later. 

Components which must withstand locally high loads or deformations, such as tunnel linings, blast resistant structures, or precast piles which must be hammered into the ground. 

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