Resistance of high-performance concrete structural members with dispersed fibre reinforcement, E-glass/epoxy layer and polyurethane coating to direct contact blast

This study investigates the enhancement of blast resistance in high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (HPFRC) panels by incorporating them into layered composite structures. Recently, a modular system for blast and ballistic protection was introduced, featuring thin HPFRC panels. Although HPFRC demonstrates increased resistance to dynamic loads, it remains vulnerable to scabbing under extreme blast pressures. To further optimize the blast resilience of the protective modular system, a three-layered sandwich structure composed of HPFRC, polyurethane, and E-glass/epoxy was developed. The study evaluated the impact of additional layers and their configurations by subjecting different panel arrangements to direct contact blasts. These configurations included two-layer systems (HPFRC and E-glass/epoxy) and three-layer systems with an HPFRC core, a polyurethane layer, and an E-glass/epoxy layer. Key factors analysed included crater formation, scabbing, reaction forces, and residual flexural strength. Comparisons with the existing protective modular system, currently employing bare HPFRC panels, offered insights into the distinct blast responses of each structure, providing guidance for structural optimization to enhance blast resistance.