Theoretical and experimental examine behavior of reinforced concrete chamber under repeated internal explosion loads

In this experimental study, the aim was to investigate the behavior of reinforced concrete rooms when subjected to repeated indoor explosions. A room whose structural elements were all made from reinforced concrete was built for the purposes of the study. Four explosion tests were conducted in which the amount of explosive and its distance from the walls were taken as variables. During each explosion test, pressure data was obtained from a piezoelectric pressure measuring device. A sketch of the crack formations in all walls and the ceiling was then drawn. The next test was then steered by the data obtained from the previous test. Each explosion test was evaluated using pressure, crack, and deformation data against the variables of the amount of explosive and its distance from the walls. The effect of the amount of explosive and its distance from the walls on structural behavior was investigated by comparing each wall's crack data and structural properties with those of the opposite wall. A theoretical study conducted in light of the experimental data then used the Birtel and Mark model for concrete pressure and Hordijk's model for tensile damage. The pressure data obtained from the tests was analyzed with Abaqus software to assess the impact of repeated internal explosions on reinforced concrete room elements. The theorized behavior of the building elements was then compared with the measurements and observations from the experimental studies.