A Pragmatic Design Approach for Internal Blast Scenarios

This paper presents an analysis approach developed for estimating internal blast pressures, and approximating the extent of damage in a complex internal building structure. An example application of design for progressive collapse in a below-grade concrete parking garage structure is demonstrated. Parking garage blast is a common threat scenario and is based upon real world events, such as the terrorist attacks in Barcelona, Spain, (1987) and at the World Trade Center, NYC (1993). The postulated scenario for this paper involves an internal blast from a passenger vehicle parked in a representative parking garage structure. A pragmatic analysis approach, which makes use of a commercially available finite element analysis (FEA) code, was developed to predict blast pressures, evaluate structural response, and assess levels-of-damage in an economical manner. Based on the resulting damage to the building structure, an assessment of the potential for progressive collapse was performed to assist structural engineers on the building design to ensure occupants can safely evacuate.