Behavior of ultrahigh-strength prestressed concrete panels subjected to blast loading

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation conducted in Woomera, South Australia in May 2004 on the blast-resistance of concrete panels made of ultrahigh-strength concrete (UHSC) material. A special concrete supporting frame was designed for testing concrete panel targets against blast loading. Four 2 m×1 m panels with various thicknesses and reinforcement details were tested under a 6 t TNT equivalent explosion at standoff distances of 30 and 40 m. Data collected from each specimen included blast pressures and deflections of panels. The test data were analyzed to assess the performance of UHSC and normal-strength concrete (NSC) panels. The test results and observations..