Mitigation effects of air-backed RC slabs retrofitted with CFRP subjected to underwater contact explosions. (1st January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Guangdong; Fan, Yong; Wang, Gaohui; Cui, Xianze; Li, Qi; Leng, Zhendong; Deng, Ke
• Is Part Of: Ocean engineering. Volume 267(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-01
• Subjects: Air-backed RC slab -- Underwater contact explosion -- CFRP retrofitting -- Mitigation effects -- Simulation analysis; Ocean engineering -- Periodicals; Ocean engineering; Periodicals; 620.4162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.113261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-8018

Abstract

Abstract: Reinforced concrete (RC) structures are commonly used in ocean engineering, and can be subjected to various blast scenarios. To evaluate the strengthening effects of the carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) on the blast resistance of air-backed RC slabs to underwater contact explosions, a numerical approach based on the coupled Lagrange-Euler (CLE) method is proposed. First, two blast tests with available experimental results are utilized to verify the numerical method. Then, numerical investigations are conducted on air-backed slabs retrofitted with CFRP subjected to underwater contact explosions using the verified analytical method. The retrofitting effectiveness of CFRP on air-backed RC slabs against underwater contact explosions are analyzed contrastively. In addition, the effects of various factors, namely, the retrofitted scheme, retrofitted thickness, retrofitted material, and charge weight, on the blast resistance of FRP retrofitted air-backed slabs are investigated. The results demonstrate that the CFRP retrofitting can significantly improve the blast resistance of air-backed slabs against underwater contact explosions by reducing deformation and catching flying debris. Highlights: Mitigation effects of CFRP on air-backed RC slab against underwater contact explosions are investigated. Analytical methodology is validated with two sets of blast tests. Parametric study on blast resistance of retrofitted air-backed RC slab is implemented. Suggestions on improving the blast resistance of CFRP retrofitted air-backed slab are proposed.