Modeling Blast-Resistant Protection Systems Composed of Polymers and Fabric
Modeling techniques in support of retrofit designs for strengthening the blast resistance of conventional stud and masonry walls are discussed. These analytic models are intended to support the designing of retrofits to prevent damage to the walls caused by a moderate size terrorist bomb. These particular retrofits are designed for a relatively close in blast loads (i.e., within 20 to 30 feet) with impulses of 100 to 250 psi-ms. Retrofit models were generated for several metal stud and concrete block walls with inherently weak lateral resistance. The retrofit techniques modeled use polymers and synthetic or metal fibers in various ways to realize the needed blast resistance. The calculated responses and selections of design parameters are based on high-fidelity physics based finite models that are able to approximate the actual behaviors of wall systems.
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