EXPLOSIVE FIELD TESTS TO EVALUATE COMPOSITE REINFORCEMENT OF CONCRETE AND MASONRY WALLS

Abstract

Two concrete structures and three masonry walls were subjected to two high explosive detonations. The concrete structures were placed at a stand-off distance such that medium damage was expected. The stand-off distance of the masonry walls was reduced on each successive detonation until breaching occurred. The two concrete structures retrofitted with composite materials were subjected to airblast loading at a standoff distance of approximately 14.5 meters. The structures were constructed such that each long side of the structure contained a wall retrofitted with a composite material and a wall left bare as a control. Both concrete structures exhibited less residual displacements on the walls strengthened with composite materials than the bare control walls.