Experimental investigation of p-section concrete beams under contact explosion and close-in explosion conditions

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on explosive breaching of p-section concrete beams. Twenty three p-section concrete beams with a 100 cm length were tested. TNT charges were placed at three positions: contact detonation in the center, contact detonation above the web and close-in detonation in the center. The external and internal breach parameters of the panels were evaluated by measuring the diameter of the ejection crater, spalling crater and breach hole created by the charge detonation. The experimental results were compared to predict values obtained by the analytical models proposed by McVay, Morishita and Remennikov. A modified breach with crater limit line and breach without crater limit line were put forward based on the experimental results. The maximum cross-sectional destruction area ratio (MCDAR) values were used to evaluate the damage degree. The maximum value of MCDAR reached 0.331 corresponding to the C5 experimental condition, of which explosion occurred above the web. Keywords: P-section concrete beam, Contact explosion, Close-in explosion, Explosive breach