Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Cladding–Girt Systems Subjected to Blast Loading

• Published in: Journal of structural engineering (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2023-05, Vol.149 (5)
• Main Authors: Ioannou, Orestis, Hadjioannou, Michalis, Gantes, Charis J., Lignos, Xenofon A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blast loads; Building frames; Cladding; Detonation; Finite element method; Flexing; Stiffness; Structural engineering; Technical Papers
• ISSN: 0733-9445; 1943-541X
• DOI: 10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-11724

AbstractDuring an external detonation, blast-induced loads are initially exerted on the cladding system of a building. If properly designed, the dynamic reactions of the cladding to the supporting structure can be such that the consequences to the supporting structure are reduced, thereby avoiding extensive damage to the building frame. This behavior was examined in this study with a small-scale blast test on two specimens with different stiffness and strength characteristics. Specifically, two steel cladding types were tested, one comprising a solid plate and the other one a stiffened panel. The specimens of the two facade types were attached to girts of identical geometry, representing the supporting structure, and were exposed to the same blast load. Maximum and permanent displacements of the girts were measured as an index of the influence of the cladding types to the response of the supporting structure. Significantly lower displacements were exhibited in the girts of the solid plate in contrast to those of the stiffened panel, highlighting that the relatively lower flexure capacity of the solid plate compared with the flexure capacity of the stiffened panel was advantageous for the supporting structure. Furthermore, nonlinear transient finite-element analyses of the test were performed and compared well against the experimental data.