I have attended several seminars on this topic; however, this was the best. The instructors thoroughness, organization and presentation of the material was excellent. Glen Pappas, Structural Engineer, Los Alamos National Security, Los Alamos, NM

Thanks to this seminar, I went from little knowledge about the subject to proficiency. Jeffrey Haight, Ehlen Spiess & Haight, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA   

Threat of bomb blasts at key government, business, industrial and large residential buildings has created a need to design these buildings to withstand intense dynamic loads generated by bomb blasts. Petrochemical and other industrial facilities also need to be designed to withstand accidental chemical explosions. Load computation, structural response analysis and structural design for both these problems are similar. So these two topics are covered together in this course. Load computation, structural response analysis and structural design for these types of buildings also need to be measured. These issues are interrelated and will both be covered in this course.

This seminar will teach you how to design steel and concrete structures to withstand bomb blasts and accidental chemical explosions. The seminar is divided into five parts: (1) Load computation, (2) Structural material behavior under intense, short-duration dynamic loads, (3) Structural response analysis, (4) Progressive collapse analysis, and (5) Structural design for bomb blasts and chemical explosions. Discussion includes seventeen (17) fully worked out examples; all necessary equations, tables and graphs are provided, and the approximations, assumptions and appropriateness are explained. A number of fully worked out examples will be presented. The detailed step-by-step analysis/design procedures illustrated in these examples will serve as a useful guide for your projects. The emphasis of the seminar is not on derivation of equations but on the use of relevant equations in practical problems. Numerical examples are solved throughout the course, and at the end the complete structural design of a steel and concrete building, from roof to foundation, is provided. You will have ample opportunity to interact with the instructor and discuss your questions. No prior knowledge of structural dynamic analysis is necessary.

A list of free computer programs available from government to qualified companies is provided, and details of how to apply for them are discussed.

You will be able to:

• Compute pressure time-histories due to TNT explosions
• Compute TNT equivalency of vapor cloud explosions (accidental chemical explosions)
• Compute structural response to blast loads
• Design structural members subjected to blast loads
• Perform progressive collapse analysis

Students achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed through problem-solving sessions and testing.

All participants receive two course texts and supplementary notes prepared by the instructor.

DAY 1

Introduction

Load Computation

There are many commonalities between loads generated by bomb blasts and those by accidental chemical explosions in petrochemical and other industrial facilities. So these two cases are discussed together. Necessary equations, graphs and tables are provided. Several numerical examples are solved.

DAY 2 

Structural Response Analysis  

Most blast/explosion response analyses are conducted by nonlinear methods. Either a coupled global analysis or a member-by-member analysis may be used. The former is often performed using finite element method. The course provides a basic discussion and references to nonlinear finite element analysis computer programs. Emphasis of the course is on member-by-member analysis technique that does not require knowledge of finite element method. Equations, graphs and tables required for this type of analysis are included in the class material. Approximations involved and where the method may and may not be used are discussed. Several example problems are solved to illustrate the procedure.

DAY 3

Pressure-Impulse Diagrams and Damage Assessment Diagrams

Development of Pressure-Impulse diagrams (P-I diagrams) and damage assessment diagrams and their use in structural design are discussed.

Design of Structural Members  

Results of load computation, structural response analysis and material behavior are combined to present design of structural members subjected to bomb blasts or accidental chemical explosions. Several examples in reinforced concrete and steel design are presented.

Glazing

General Services Administration (GSA) classification of glazing. Capacity of glazing to withstand blast pressures.

Progressive Collapse Analysis

Importance of progressive collapse analysis and government guidelines are discussed. Tie Force Method (TFM), Alternate Path Method (APM) and Enhanced Local Resistance Method (ELRM) are presented.

Case Histories and Lessons Learned

Several examples of both failures and successes in the past are presented and lessons from these examples are discussed.

Discounted hotel rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. See discount deadline and rates below.