Performance Analysis on the Blast Resistance of Hybrid-Reinforced Concrete Walls

This study investigates the blast resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls reinforced with hybrid configurations of traditional steel rebars and advanced fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs), including carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), and basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP). A validated finite element analysis (FEA) model was used to evaluate ten reinforcement configurations subjected to central contact explosive loads. RC shear walls measuring 2100 mm × 2800 mm × 300 mm were analyzed based on displacement, surface damage, and energy absorption. Configurations fully reinforced with CFRP demonstrated the highest blast resistance, effectively minimizing displacement and surface damage due to CFRP's superior stiffness and tensile strength. BFRP configurations exhibited higher energy dissipation but resulted in increased deformation and damage, while GFRP configurations provided intermediate performance, balancing stiffness and flexibility. Hybrid configurations combining steel and FRPs offered an effective compromise by optimizing energy absorption, structural integrity, and cost-effectiveness. These findings highlight CFRP as the optimal material for high-impact applications, while hybrid and material-specific reinforcements provide adapted solutions for moderate resistance requirements or environmental constraints. This study emphasizes the importance of material selection and reinforcement strategies in the design of durable, blast-resistant RC structures.