Study on Vertical Propagation of Power Parameters in RC Frame Under Internal Explosion

The roof slab, as a critical component for partitioning the vertical space within RC frame structures, can effectively mitigate the propagation of shock waves and reduce damage levels in adjacent rooms. This study employed finite element (FE) modeling to investigate the vertical propagation of blast waves and roof ejection velocity in RC frames. The model’s reliability was verified by reconstructing internal explosion tests on RC frames and close-in explosion tests on masonry walls. On this basis, two typical single-room RC frame structures that are vertically adjacent were designed, and numerical simulations of the internal explosion were conducted under four explosive equivalents and four venting coefficients. The propagation of shock waves, load characteristics in the vertically adjacent room, and the dynamic response of roof slabs were examined. The results show that shock waves propagated to the vertically adjacent room decreased by approximately two orders of magnitude for peak overpressure and one order of magnitude for impulse due to the obstruction of shock waves by roof slabs, respectively, compared to the source explosion room. For larger venting coefficients, abundant energy was released through the venting openings, making it difficult to form a quasi-static pressure with a long duration inside the source explosion room. In addition to the shock wave, the explosive ejection of roof slabs in the explosion source room will further exacerbate the damage to the vertically adjacent room. Peak overpressure and impulse propagated to the vertically adjacent room were reduced significantly by the increase in the venting coefficient, resulting in an attenuation of structural damage. Finally, empirical models incorporating the venting coefficient were established to characterize the attenuation coefficients of power parameters, demonstrating the predictive capability for peak overpressure, impulse, and roof ejection velocity in both the explosion source room and the vertically adjacent room.