Pre-stressed Ultra High Performance Concrete Slab Subjected to Blast Impact - A numerical study

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to study the blast resistance capacity of Pre-stressed Ultra High Performance Concrete slab. Three-dimensional numerical models, including the explosion source, Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) slab reinforced by pre-stressed tendons and steel bars under boundary conditions, are developed to simulate the full-scale behavior of the structure under blast load. The proposed simulation model is validated through comparison with the results of a prior experimental study. Chosen explosions with the stand-off distance and TNT charge weight in two cases of close-in and near-field regime. The analysis results are compared to the UHPC slab reinforced by steel bars and High Strength Concrete (HSC), with a focus on blast resistance capacity and the level of damage reduction in the structure. The results of the analysis indicate that HSC slabs sustain a 70% higher level of severe damage compared to UHPC slabs reinforced with pre-stressed tendons. The dynamic increase factor of UHPC is determined to be 32% larger than HSC. Concerning UHPC slabs, while the pre-stressed tendon serves as crucial in decreasing deflection of slabs under blast loads, its influence on altering the damage level of the structure is less pronounced.