Use of Precast Concrete Walls for Blast Protection of Steel Stud Construction

This research study examines the use of a precast concrete panel system for blast protection of facilities with exterior light gauge metal stud walls. The structural retrofit is designed for the specific case where internal operation of the facility cannot be interrupted. To meet this design requirement, a series of precast concrete panels are installed exterior to the building envelope with connections to the foundation at ground level and to the steel building frame at upper floor levels. To validate the retrofit concept, two explosive detonations representing relatively low and high blast threat levels are examined. An exterior insulation and finishing system (EIFS) clad stud wall and a precast concrete protected stud wall are examined under each demand level. The measured responses of both systems are compared with each other and with basic dynamic predictive models. In addition, a finite element study of the connection is conducted to estimate support demands for the blast retrofit. The research results show that the precast wall system provides effective protection of the exterior wall. The research also shows that EIFS clad metal stud wall systems retain significant resilience under blast demands. The dynamic responses of the systems are predictable using standard elastic-plastic dynamic modeling assumptions.