Experimental study on scaling of RC beams under close-in blast loading

Abstract Damage effects analysis and assessment of buildings under blast loading is an important problem concerned by the area of explosion accident analysis, blast-resistant design, anti-terrorist and military weapon design. The damage character of RC beam under close-in blast loading is investigated through experiments. The damage modes and damage levels of RC beams are studied under different blast loads. The results show that the spallation area increases with the decrease of the scaled distance. The concrete beams are prone to be damaged in flexure mode with concrete crushed on the front face, concrete spallation on the back surface and concrete flake off on the side surface. The scaling of the dynamic response of reinforced concrete beams subjected to close-in blast loadings is also studied. The test results showed a similar macrostructure damage and fracture in all experiment conditions. But the local damage degree of RC beams with smaller size has been reduced a little as compared with that of beams with larger size. Based on the results, empirical equations of the center deflection to height ratio are proposed to correct scaling model considering size effects.