The main purpose of the present dissertation is the simulation of the response
of fibre grout strengthened RC panels when subjected to blast effects using the
Applied Element Method, in order to validate and verify its applicability.
Therefore, four experimental models, three of which were strengthened with a
cement-based grout, each reinforced by one type of steel reinforcement, were
tested against blast effects. After the calibration of the experimental set-up, it was
possible to obtain and compare the response to the blast effects of the model
without strengthening (reference model), and a fibre grout strengthened RC panel
(strengthened model).
Afterwards, a numerical model of the reference model was created in the
commercial software Extreme Loading for Structures, which is based on the
Applied Element Method, and calibrated to the obtained experimental results,
namely to the residual displacement obtained by the experimental monitoring
system. With the calibration verified, it is possible to assume that the numerical
model correctly predicts the response of fibre grout RC panels when subjected to
blast effects.
In order to verify this assumption, the strengthened model was modelled and
subjected to the blast effects of the corresponding experimental set-up.
The comparison between the residual and maximum displacements and the
bottom surface’s cracking obtained in the experimental and the numerical tests
yields a difference of 4 % for the maximum displacements of the reference model,
and a difference of 4 and 10 % for the residual and maximum displacements of the
strengthened model, respectively. Additionally, the cracking on the bottom surface
of the models was similar in both methods.
Therefore, one can conclude that the Applied ElementMethod can correctly predict
and simulate the response of fibre grout strengthened RC panels when subjected
to blast effects
