TECHNICAL PAPERS
Aug 1, 1998

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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References

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Biggs, J. M. (1964). Introduction to structural dynamics. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, N.Y.
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Corley, W. G., Mlakar, P. F., Sozen, M. A., and Thornton, C. H.(1998). “The Oklahoma City bombing: Summary and recommendations for multihazard mitigation.”J. Perf. Constr. Fac., ASCE, 12(3), 100–112.
3.
Corley, W. G., Sozen, M. A., Thornton, C. H., and Mlakar, P. F. (1996). “The Oklahoma City bombing: improving building performance through multi-hazard mitigation.”FEMA Bulletin 277, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C.
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McVay, M. K. (1988). “Spall damage of concrete structures.”U.S. Army Engr. Wtrwy. Experiment Station Tech. Rep. SL-88-22. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss.
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“The Oklahoma City bombing: improving building performance through multi-hazard mitigation.” (1996). Fed. Emergency Mgmt. Agency Rep. 277, Building Performance Assessment Team, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C.
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Sozen, M. A., Thornton, C. H., Corley, W. G., and Mlakar, P. F.(1998). “The Oklahoma City bombing: Structural details and possible mechanisms for the Murrah Building.”J. Perf. Constr. Fac., ASCE, 12(3), 120–136.

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Go to Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 12Issue 3August 1998
Pages: 113 - 119

History

Published online: Aug 1, 1998
Published in print: Aug 1998

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Authors

Affiliations

Paul F. Mlakar, Sr.
Div. Chf., U.S. Army Engr. Wtrwy. Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
W. Gene Corley
Vice Pres., Constr. Technol. Lab., Inc., Skokie, IL 60077-1030.
Mete A. Sozen
Kettlehut Distinguished Prof., Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN.
Charles H. Thornton, Fellows, ASCE
Prin., Thornton-Tomasetti Engrs., New York, NY.

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