Dynamic Response of Retrofitted Masonry Walls for Blast Loading

• Published in: Journal of engineering mechanics 2010-07, Vol.136 (7), p.858-864
• Main Authors: Urgessa, Girum S, Maji, Arup K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building structure; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Composites; Construction (buildings and works); Exact sciences and technology; External envelopes; Floor. Ceiling; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Masonry structure; Physics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; TECHNICAL PAPERS; Technology of polymers; Vibration, mechanical wave, dynamic stability (aeroelasticity, vibration control...)
• ISSN: 0733-9399; 1943-7889
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0000128

A full-scale blast test was conducted on eight masonry walls reinforced with two and four layers of carbon fibers and two types of polymer matrices. The walls were then subjected to a 0.45-kg pentolite booster suspended from the ceiling of a test structure. The pressure-time history caused by the blast and the resulting displacement response were measured during the test. This paper presents a summary of the test program and the corresponding results from a nonlinear single degree of freedom analysis. The results provide a basis for determining effective means of retrofitting existing masonry walls and designing new structures to withstand blast loads. The paper also outlines a fiber-reinforced polymer retrofit design procedure for walls subjected to blast loading.