An Experimental Study of Reinforced Concrete Façade Panels and Their Fixing Assemblies Subjected to Blast Loads

Abstract

This paper presents experimental studies of concrete façade response to blast pressures. The experimental program also aims to establish the influence of fixings assemblies on the performance of precast concrete façade panels. The current standardized approach of pre-cast concrete design as defined in UFC3-340-02 limits the support fixity of pre-cast wall panels to be a simply supported system. The restriction to a simply supported system in a pre-cast wall panel would lead to inefficient design due to non-optimized use of concrete panel thickness. The experimental results showed that varying fixing assemblies may lead to a partial fixity condition, which is not accounted for in the UFC3-340-02 design guideline. The partial fixity conditions observed in the experimental results indicate that there are residual capacities in the pre-cast façade systems. The efficacy of the façade panel system could be improved by taking into account partial fixity in the support system. Similarly, premature shear failure could also be prevented by understanding the additional contribution of the partial fixity on fixing assemblies.