Using Numerical Modeling To Structural Safety Assessment

Abstract

Explosions lead to large losses of life and property, and the study of this type of load has received a great attention from researchers in conjunction with the increase of terrorist attacks around the world, as it is known the explosions in Syria led to cracking  and partial or complete collapse of important residential and vital buildings.

In conjunction with preparing for the reconstruction phase, and studying the possibility of rehabilitating damaged facilities, it was necessary to search for advanced calculation methods for assessing the damage, and choosing effective strengthening methods that achieve efficiency and moderation in the consumption of materials and energy sources. Furthermore, achieving the principle of sustainability in preserving vital systems, and ensuring being continually as active and productive sources over time.

The research presents an analytical study that aims to structural safety assessment, and study the possibility of rehabilitating a real building that has been subjected to a terrorist attack using a bomb car.

The numerical model of the building was created and the explosion simulated using the ABAQUS program, and designing the engineering elements required according to the damage index values.

The numerical modeling results gave a great convergence in terms of the values of deformations. The remaining resistance values in the damaged structural elements with the experimental measurements of the structural elements after the explosion has a relative differences not exceeding 5%.

The design of the required strengthening and connection elements according to the damage index values has led to raising the efficiency of the damaged building. Achieving the principle of sustainability by reducing the use of materials and waste-producing activities, and reducing energy consumption which is harmful to the environment.