Evaluating the Use of Ductile Envelope Connectors for Improved Blast Protection of Buildings

The rise of intentional or unintentional explosions on both defense critical and conventional buildings requires development of enhanced, cost-effective solutions for the blast protection of structures. This study explores the feasibility of a simple, cost-effective building envelope connector that provides an energy absorbing mechanism for mitigating the effects of a blast event onto a building. The feasibility of the blast resistant ductile connector (BRDC) was assessed by applying principals of conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, and a generalized single degree of freedom dynamics model. A transient nonlinear finite element model was employed to verify the results. Selected BRDC designs were evaluated through nonlinear finite element analysis and experimental testing. This study found that for a reasonably wide range of blast scenarios the BRDC was able to safely dissipate the energy from a blast event, leaving the lateral force resisting system (LFRS) and envelope panel undamaged.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Lavarnway, Daniel L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Pollino, Michael

• Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Blast Mitigation
• Blast Protection
• Energy Dissipation
• Transient Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis
• Large Deformation Mechanics

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: some rights reserved. It is licensed for use under a Creative Commons license. Specific terms and permissions are available from this document's record in the OhioLINK ETD Center.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1365001432

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:case1365001432