Determination of Blast Impact Range and Safe Distance for a Reinforced Concrete Pile Under Blast Loading

Abstract

Piles transfer structural loads to the hard layers of the soil or rock; thus, any damage to the pile foundations could have irreparable consequences. A surface blast can create a ground shock that transmits the blast energy along the surface and at depths. Explosion research necessitates technical design to mitigate the adverse effects on nearby structures and facilities. The blast impact range and the safe distance at which the pile will avoid structural damage are two critical parameters for the design of a pile under blast loading. Therefore, this study used the coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian method to determine the blast impact range and safe distance for reinforced concrete piles (RC piles) subjected to blast loading. The results for clayey and sandy soils revealed that an increase in the explosive depth had no significant effect on the safe distance, despite a decrease in the compressive and tensile damage to the pile. Increasing the mass and depth of the blast decreased the ultimate compressive bearing capacity of the pile and increased the blast impact range. Sandy soil performed better than clayey soil against blast loading. The findings of this study can be applied to various projects, including critical structures near gas transmission lines or vulnerable to terrorist attacks.