RESPONSE OF PROTECTIVE VAULTS TO BLAST LOADING,

Abstract

A reinforced-concrete steel-plate-lined vault and steel vault door were exposed to a nuclear detonation (shot Priscilla, about 37 kt, balloon suspended, at 700 ft) at the predicted 75-psi peak incident pressure level (1150 ft from Ground Zero). The vault was designed by the ultimatestrength theory to utilize the additional strain energy available in the elastoplastic and plastic ranges. Flexural and thrust capacities were determined, and shear capacity was computed. It was established that above-ground structures can be designed and constructed to survive the pressure levels experienced by this structure. The vault and door provided adequate blast and thermal protection for normal usage, and the structure was adequate to resist overturning and excessive sliding under conditions of the test. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0611258

Entities

People

  • A. Bottenhofer
  • E. Cohen
  • E. Laing

Organizations

  • Ammann & Whitney

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Concrete
  • Construction Materials
  • Detonations
  • Ground Zero
  • Materials
  • Reinforced Concrete

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Structural Dynamics.