Performance of Bridge Columns Subjected to Blast Loads. I: Experimental Program

TLDR

Statistical data from past terrorist attacks show that transportation infrastructure, especially bridges, has been widely targeted, and recent U.S. threats confirm this concern, prompting attention from the bridge engineering community. The National Cooperative Highway Research Program sponsored a study to investigate how critical bridge components respond to blast loads. The study involved an experimental program testing ten half‑scale column designs to evaluate which design parameters most influence blast‑loaded bridge column performance.

Abstract

Statistical data from past terrorist attacks show that transportation infrastructure has been widely targeted, and a significant percentage of the attacks against transportation structures have been directed towards bridges. Recent threats to bridges in the United States validate this concern and have attracted the attention of the bridge engineering community. To address these concerns, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program sponsored a research project to investigate the response of critical bridge components subjected to blast loads. This paper includes a description of an experimental research program on ten different half-scale column designs in which the design parameters that have the greatest impact on the performance of blast-loaded bridge columns were evaluated. Interpretation of the test results and guidelines for the blast-resistant design of reinforced concrete bridge columns are provided in the companion paper written by the writers.