Effects of RC Columns Strengthening by Steel Jacketing under Blast Loads

Most of the destructive effects of blast loading on structures can be found in the form of local failure of structural members. Such local damages could be associated with progressive collapse of the whole building. Progressive collapse, which has caused widespread casualties and financial losses at the blast events, can occur as a result of the sudden collapse and removal of structural columns under direct effect of the blast pressure. Therefore, assessment of the blast response of RC columns and their retrofitting against blast loading would provide very useful information in the field of blast resistant structures. In this paper, using a validated FE modeling process, square RC columns and RC columns strengthened with steel jacketing under blast loading, are analyzed by the explicit solver of ABAQUS software package. By performing nonlinear dynamical analyses, the explosive response of simple and strengthened RC column models are compared in terms of maximum displacement values ​​and absorbed energy. Obtained results show that retrofitting of RC columns with steel jackets, significantly reduces the energy reaching the structure and the deformation, and improves the performance against blast loading.