Modelling the Slab Failure of an Open Structure Acted by External Blast Loads

The explosion of bombs near buildings generally yields severe damages to the structures. Explosion resistant standards and requirements are constantly being developed and upgraded. This paper focuses on the damages which occur toa RC slab due to blast action. The numerical model replicates a ¼ scale experiment. The analysis is conducted using a software based on the recently developed Applied Element Method. This numerical method is able to model accurately all the structural behavior stages up to failure. The results are compared to experimental data available in the literature. The analysis reveals that the slab failure due to uplift pressures may be avoided by some simple reinforcing details, as they are listed in the Romanian National Annex – accidental loads of the Eurocode EN 1991-1-7.