Dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete wall subjected to boiler blast loading

Abstract

Ready-made garments factories of Bangladesh play a vital role in spinning the wheels of economy of Bangladesh. The production of their products requires the use of steam boilers extensively. Steam boiler explosion causes immense damage to the life and property. Boiler explosion is very common these days not only in Bangladesh but also around the world. Progressive collapse of structures and death of life is caused due to the explosion of boilers. Inadequate knowledge on such kind of explosions is one of the major causes behind these losses. The nature of boiler explosion is quite different than those of explosive explosion and terrorist attacks. This is why boiler explosion requires special attention and boiler rooms must be designed for this special loading. The extent of this research is to explore the behaviour of reinforced concrete wall subjected to boiler blast load and structural design of such walls. To investigate the behaviour of the walls under consideration, a total of nine reinforced concrete walls have been analysed each of which was subjected to boiler blast loading. Dynamic nonlinear time history analyses have been performed to study the behaviour of the walls. Nonlinear material behaviour for both concrete and reinforcing bars was considered in the analysis. Material damping have also been considered in the analysis. Deformation and stress conditions of the walls have been studied for different loading criteria and cases by numerical analyses in finite element method. After the analysis, a comparison between the deformation and stress condition of the walls have been carried out. Structural design of reinforced concrete walls subjected to dynamic boiler blast load by SDOF approach has been performed and compared with the results obtained from finite element analyses. A total of eighty one walls have been designed by the SDOF approach and the effects of peak design pressure, concrete strength and thickness of wall on peak deformation have been studied. Finally, a set of design charts have been proposed for the design of RC walls subjected to boiler blast pressure that may be used as a simplified guideline to design RC walls subjected to boiler blast pressure.