Bermed Shelters Subjected to Accidental Explosions

by Howard S. Levine, Weidlinger Associates, United States,
Claus J. Ludwig, Weidlinger Associates, United States,
William A. Millavec, Weidlinger Associates, United States,
Edward Q. Richardson, Weidlinger Associates, United States,
Jeremy Isenberg, Weidlinger Associates, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Seismic Engineering: Research and Practice

Abstract:

An investigation of the adequacy of two competing shelter designs to protect the occupants from an accidental explosion in a nearby shelter is described. Two bermed shelters, one of rectangular platform and one arch, were analyzed using the FLEX nonlinear, dynamic finite element code. Nonlinear constitutive models for the reinforced concrete structures and surrounding soil were used. Techniques to model the traveling airblast, ground shock and crater-related motions at the site of interest are described. Also included in the analysis was the possibility of the presence of a door in the roof. Damage is evaluated by comparing computed strain states with calibrated values of strains based upon previous field tests of similar structures.

Subject Headings: Protective structures | Dynamic structural analysis | Concrete structures | Reinforced concrete | Finite element method | Explosions | Soil stabilization

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search