Estimation of RC columns’ response under the effect of lateral blast loading by SDOF method and comparison with FEM

Abstract

In most of the structural blast-resistant designs and analysis single degree of freedom (SDOF) method is used. Generally, for this method flexural response of the structural members is considered but in axial loaded members, secondary moments (P-δ effects) are also very important. In the case of columns of building structures, which mostly bear significant axial loads, ignoring P-δ effects under lateral blast loading can be very risky. This paper describes a simple way for taking into account P-δ effects and also the effects of high strain rates (which is very important in severe dynamic loading) in SDOF analysis of reinforced concrete columns under simultaneous axial load and lateral blast loading. The resulting responses are compared with explicit finite element analysis using LS-DYNA hydro-code. Proposed SDOF equation of motion is numerically calculated and secondary moment and high strain rate effects are included within the calculation procedure. Secondary moments due to P-δ effects have been considered as equivalent lateral load and strain effects are introduced to the model by dynamic increasing factors for concrete and steel materials. Based on the main results, estimated response of RC column under blast loading using SDOF method has acceptable accuracy compared to LS-DYNA analysis results.

Keywords

• sdof method
• axial force
• blast loads
• rc column
• ls-dyna software