The effect of sand layer thickness and moisture content on underground structures behavior due to surface blasting
Abstract
Surface and underground explosions make extensive destruction and damage to structures. These explosions can generate heavy shocks to ground. There are several approaches to reduce these effects. One way to reduce these damages is by sand layer, which is the most economically viable method. As the sand layer reduces high- frequency stress waves effectively, it decreases damage to structure. In this paper, the behavior of tunnels (underground structures) with different thickness of sand layer and moisture content under surface explosion are investigated by finite element method (FEM). Numerical results indicate that with increasing of sand layer thickness and moisture, the effect of surface explosions on the underground structures is decreased.
References
Boulson, B. S. 2003. Explosive loading of engineering structures. Taylor & Francis literary.
Chengqing, W. 2004. Numerical simulation of structural responses on a sand layer to blast induced ground excitations. Journal of Computers and Structures, Vol. 82, pp 799-814.
GUI M.W. 2006. Blast-resistant analysis for a tunnel passing beneath Taipei shongsan airport-a parametric study. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Journal, 227-2.
Krauthammer.T. 2008. Modern protective structure. 1th Edition. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia. Taylor & Francis Group.
Lamb, H. 1904. On the propagation of tremors over the surface of an elastic solid. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. Vol. 203: pp 1-42.
Nagy, N.M., Eltehawy, E.A., Elhanafy H.M. and Eldesouky, A. 2009. Numerical Modeling of Geometrical Analysis for Underground Structures. 13th International Conference on Aerospace Sciences & Aviation Technology. ASAT- 13, May 26 – 28.
Olarewaju A. J, Kameswara Rao N.S.V and Mannan, M.A, 2011. Dimensionless Response of Underground Pipes Due to Blast Loads Using Finite Element Method. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 16.
Olarewaju, A. J, Kameswara Rao N.S.V, and Mannan M.A. 2010. Blast Effects on Underground Pipes. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. Vol. 15.
TM5-855-1. 1986. Fundamentals of protective design for conventional weapons, Headquarters. Department of the American Army.
Schmidt, R. M. and Holsapple, K. A. 1980. Theory and experiments on centrifuge cratering. Journal of Geophysical Research. 85, 235.
Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC). 2008. Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental Explosions. UFC 3-340-02. Department of Defense, US Army Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency. United States of America.
Zimmie, F., Abdoun, T., and Tessari, A. 2010. Physical Modeling of Explosive Effects on Tunnels, Fourth International Symposium on Tunnel Safety and Security. Frankfurt am Main. Germany, March 17-19.