The optimization of the pore size in hollow reinforced concrete slabs by numerical simulations through minimizing two characteristics of the deflection and the amount of used concrete under blast loading

 At the present age, the increasing possibility of offensive attacks against residential areas has drawn much attention to the matter of safety and resistance in constructions subjected to blast loads. Given the widespread use of reinforced concrete slabs in many structures, the present study intends to investigate the impact of blast loads on hollow-core slabs. The paper discusses the numerical analysis carried out using the finite element software Abaqus, since experimental research would be costly, time-consuming and limited. The investigation focuses on a hollow-core slab with dissimilar hole diameters dealing with five different amounts of TNT charge mass. The results indicate that with charge mass having increased, the deflection experienced by the samples goes up as well. In terms of structural performance, the effect of pore size on slab deflection is nearly independent of the charge mass, nonetheless it should also be assessed as a variable parameter when making a precise evaluation. Considering the fact that air explosion is the most efficient energy absorbing, practically in all samples the presence of holes would make reduced the slab deflection in buildings undergoing blast loading. Moreover, the study concludes that by comparison with a hollow-core slab, the damage on conventional slab could be more severe.