Response of Anchored and Embedded Reinforced Concrete Barriers Subjected to Blast Loads

Protecting important buildings and preserving human lives is an essential requirement in present era as explosions represent a real danger which must be confronted.Current study analyzes the behavior of different eight (8) reinforced concrete barriers subjected to blast loads.The models are divided into barriers anchored in the base and barriers with a base embedded into soil.In addition, the models feature different geometries as there are concave barriers with front angles 49 and 58.Also, different weights of TNT charges 450 kg, and 1800 kg are used.The study concluded that anchored barriers subjected to TNT charge of 450 kg, barriers with a front angle 49 have the best performance in terms of the pressure values behind the barrier.These barriers have approximately 61% lower pressure values at the center point of barrier back compared to other types of barriers.The best performance is for barrier with front angle 58 in case of TNT charge weighted 1800 kg.These barriers have approximately 41% lower pressure values at the bottom point of the barrier back compared to other types of barriers.In case of embedded barriers, the performance of barriers having front angle 58 is better than the other barriers in case of TNT charge of 450kg.These barriers have approximately 49% lower pressure values at the center point of barrier back compared to other types of barriers.In case of TNT charge of 1800kg the best performance was for barriers having front angle 58.These barriers have approximately 52% lower pressure values at the center point of barrier back compared to other types of barriers.Overall, the embedded barriers demonstrate a better performance rather than the anchored barriers across all TNT charges from pressure values behind the barrier perspective.