Blast Analysis, Design and Research: A Canadian Perspective

In order to protect structures against accidental or deliberate blast loads, special expertise and knowledge are necessary to ensure adequate performance of the structural systems. Although the structure may require an extensive repair following a blast event, the main goal of the protective design is to avoid structural progressive collapse and minimize fragments. Blast loading is very different from other forms of dynamic loading generally analyzed by structural engineers. Peak pressures are several orders of magnitude higher than those associated with other typical dynamic loads, and blast load durations are usually much shorter than the fundamental period of the structure. This paper will focus on the blast loading phenomena, analysis procedures and design implications as specified by the two recently developed North America’s codes, ASCE SEI59-11 (2011) and CAN CSA S850-12 (2012). In addition, the results of an ongoing multi-year large-scale experimental and analytical program at McMaster University, Canada will be highlighted.