Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Civil Engineering

Explosions events due of terrorist attacks have significantly increased in recent years. As a result, more researches addressing safety of civil buildings against blast loads have been conducted and many design codes in different parts of the world started taking into account effect of blast loads and consequences in design of building elements. This research focus on the effect of buckling and axial loads on performance of columns subjected to blast load, a factor not deeply considered in previous research. Nonlinear analytical model for RC columns is developed using fiber analysis technique to predict the moment curvature relationship and resistant function of columns under blast loading using MATLAB. The developed model is used later on for estimating damage level and out of plane response of RC columns subjected to blast load. In this MATLAB file, uniform blast load is calculated based on a specific standoff distance and explosive charge according to CSA, Canadian code, equations. Column is modeled as a nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model with distributed mass and load to estimate max displacement and support rotation. Thus the damage level can be predicted as well as the corresponding repair technique. Different design parameters are considered in this study including design basis threat (DBT) scenario, axial load, column dimensions, axial load, and charge weight and standoff distance. The effect of those design parameters on some performance measures such as maximum displacement, end rotation, damage level and repair needs are evaluated. Means for reducing progressive collapse potentials of new and existing buildings under blast loadings are highlighted

Issued also as CD