Structural reliability analysis of reinforced concrete columns subject to explosive blast loading

Reinforced concrete columns in buildings are vulnerable to terrorist attack and other sources of explosive blast loading, and failure of a critical column can lead to progressive collapse and large loss of life. There are considerable uncertainties associated with material strengths, dimensions, structural response, blast loading as well as expected damage. Hence, probabilistic methods are useful in quantifying the probability of damage or collapse. In this paper, Monte-Carlo simulation and probabilistic methods are used as the computational tool that incorporates uncertainties associated with blast loads and material and dimensional properties for various threat scenarios. Monte-Carlo simulation and numerical methods are used to predict the damage of RC columns subjected to blast loading based on the explicit FEM software LS-DYNA. The prediction of damage is based on the load-bearing capacity of the structure. The structural reliability analysis calculates: (i) variability of structural response and (ii) damage and collapse risks RC columns. The effect of blast load variability on structural reliabilities is also investigated.