Exploring the Dynamics and Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Slabs against Close-Range Explosions: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

In recent years, the escalation of global incidents involving explosives has engendered profound concern, driven by both deliberate acts of subversion and unintended detonations. Notably, the catastrophic explosion at the fireworks storage facilities in Beirut, Lebanon, stands as a poignant example, leading to substantial loss of life, injuries, and infrastructural damage. This study undertakes an investigation into the dynamic behavior and fortification of Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) slabs against close-range explosions, employing a meticulous bibliometric analysis of scholarly publications sourced from the Scopus database. To gauge the impact and dissemination of these publications, alternative metrics such as social network articles and documents within bibliographic reference managers are incorporated. Focusing on articles and reviews published between 2010 and 2023, the research identifies 1064 pertinent papers using the keywords "RCC" and "strength." The bibliometric scrutiny, leveraging 'R' and VOS Viewer software, accentuates the pivotal role of slab strength in scholarly discourse, unveiling a substantial corpus of literature and its profound significance. These insights furnish invaluable guidance for researchers and practitioners, furnishing a holistic comprehension of the contemporary research panorama and steering future advancements in this indispensable domain of inquiry. A bibliometric analysis, characterized by a systematic evaluation of scholarly literature pertaining to a specific subject, furnishes elucidations into its trends, principal contributors, and the broader research terrain. This methodological approach is particularly pertinent in structural engineering and the assessment of blast effects on reinforced concrete structures. The analytical endeavor commences with delineating the research theme, followed by scouring academic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, or Google Scholar utilizing pertinent keywords. Subsequently, it scrutinizes publication trends, authorship delineations, journal and conference preferences, and citation analysis to pinpoint influential and highly cited works. Additionally, the geographical dissemination of contributions is explored, discerning regions or countries where the research proliferates. Keyword analysis is employed to unravel the predominant themes and subjects under investigation within the research corpus.