The Oklahoma City Bombing: Analysis of Blast Damage to the Murrah Building
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 12, Issue 3
Abstract
The truck bombing of the Murrah Building caused significant damage to this structure. From the characteristics of the bomb crater, it was determined that the explosion yielded energy comparable to that from the detonation of 1,814 kg (4,000 lbs) of trinitrotoluene (TNT). The blast directly removed a principal exterior column, and the associated airblast caused the failure of two others. The airblast also destroyed some of the floor slabs in the immediate vicinity. This paper describes the blast loading and its effect on the building.
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Copyright © 1998 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Aug 1, 1998
Published in print: Aug 1998
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