Blast response comparison of multiple steel frame connections

• Published in: Finite elements in analysis and design 2011-07, Vol.47 (7), p.668-675
• Main Authors: Urgessa, Girum S., Arciszewski, Tomasz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Blast loads; Building structure; Buildings. Public works; Connections; Construction (buildings and works); Criteria; Displacement; Exact sciences and technology; Explosions; Finite element method; Fluid dynamics; Frames; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); General theory; Joints; Mathematical analysis; Metal structure; Physics; Solid mechanics; Steel frames; Stress; Structural and continuum mechanics; Structural steels; Tantalum; Vibration, mechanical wave, dynamic stability (aeroelasticity, vibration control...)
• ISSN: 0168-874X; 1872-6925
• DOI: 10.1016/j.finel.2011.01.009

When a structural steel frame is subjected to blast, the beam-to-column connections, which are responsible for load transfer between different members within the frame, play a major role in structural response. This paper presents results of a comparative finite element analysis of a steel frame subjected to a blast loading from a vehicular threat. The study compared three connection systems referred as standard, TA and SidePlate TM. Connection plate thickness variations were also considered. Strain rate effects were included in the material constitutive model. The pressure–time histories were determined using FEFLO, a general purpose computational fluid dynamics program developed by the Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics at George Mason University. The numerical results were used to compare both the structural response and the constructability of frames with the studied connection types. Three structural response evaluation criteria and three such constructability criteria were used to determine comparative advantages and disadvantages of the TA and SidePlate TM connection types with respect to the standard connection.