Coupled Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Building under Surface Blast

A three-dimensional (3D) model of a six-story building subjected to a surface blast is analyzed using the coupled numerical approach. The simulation incorporates the explosion process, shock wave propagation through air and soil medium, shock wave structure interaction, and structure response in a single model to study the soil-structure-interaction effect on the blast response of the building. The coupled analysis is implemented with the help of the coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian scheme. The study shows that soil type has a significant effect on the surface-blast-induced response of the building. Further, validity of the uncoupled analysis is investigated, as it takes much less computational time than the coupled analysis. The uncoupled analysis is found valid for greater standoff distance, while the fully coupled analysis is to be performed in the near blast situation.