The Oklahoma City Bombing: Analysis of Blast Damage to the Murrah Building

TLDR

The truck bombing of the Murrah Building caused significant structural damage. The study analyzes blast loading and its impact on the Murrah Building. The blast released energy equivalent to 1,814 kg of TNT, removed a principal exterior column, caused failure of two others, and destroyed nearby floor slabs.

Abstract

The truck bombing of the Murrah Building caused significant damage to this structure. From the characteristics of the bomb crater, it was determined that the explosion yielded energy comparable to that from the detonation of 1,814 kg (4,000 lbs) of trinitrotoluene (TNT). The blast directly removed a principal exterior column, and the associated airblast caused the failure of two others. The airblast also destroyed some of the floor slabs in the immediate vicinity. This paper describes the blast loading and its effect on the building.