Use of Precast Concrete Walls for Blast Protection of Steel Stud Construction Preprint

Abstract

This research study examines the response of a steel stud wall system and the use of an exterior precast concrete panel system for blast protection. The blast resistant system consists of a series of precast concrete panels installed in front of a conventional exterior stud wall and connected to the foundation at ground level and to the steel building frame beams at the top of the wall. The experimental investigation consists of two explosive detonations representing a "relatively low" blast level and a "very high" level of blast as defined by the Army Technical Manual 5-853-01. A bare stud wall and a precast concrete protected stud wall are both examined at the high and low level of threat. The research results show that the precast wall system provides an effective system protection for exterior walls. The research also shows that the metal stud wall system retains a significant degree of resilience and that the corresponding "Levels of Protection" as defined by UFC 04-0101-1 may be too conservative at low blast levels.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA480290

Entities

People

  • Clay Naito
  • Robert J. Dinan
  • Stephen D. Grumbach

Organizations

  • Applied Research Associates (United States)

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Blast Loads
  • Blast Resistance
  • Concrete
  • Construction
  • Fabrication
  • Gages
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Testing
  • Military Research
  • Polystyrenes
  • Precast Concrete
  • Reinforced Concrete

Readers

  • Combustion Dynamics and Shock Wave Physics.
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Pavement Materials Engineering.