Title

Fragmentation of Reinforced Concrete Slabs

Creator

Barnett, Ralph L.

Hermann, Paul C.

Corporate Author

IIT Research Institute

Laboratory

Office of Civil Defense

Date

1968

Date Issued

1968-10

Extent

94

NTRL Accession Number

AD841792

Identifier

AD0841792

Abstract

A reexamination of the blast effects literature from the point of view of fragmentation leads to the conclusion that reinforced concrete slabs do not constitute a significant source of debris in the postattack environment. Both the initial orientation and the self-adjusting geometry of slabs minimize their transverse loading. Also, the horizontal displacement of potential slab fragments tends to be small because of their high ballistic coefficients andor high downward acting loading. Finally, the steel reinforcing bars tenaciously tie the various pieces of fractured slab to the supports and to each other even at pressure levels as high as 100 psi.

Description

A reexamination of the blast effects literature from the point of view of fragmentation leads to the conclusion that reinforced concrete slabs do not constitute a significant source of debris in the postattack environment. Both the initial orientation and the self-adjusting geometry of slabs minimize their transverse loading. Also, the horizontal displacement of potential slab fragments tends to be small because of their high ballistic coefficients andor high downward acting loading. Finally, the steel reinforcing bars tenaciously tie the various pieces of fractured slab to the supports and to each other even at pressure levels as high as 100 psi.

Distribution Classification

1

Distribution Conflict

No

DTIC Record Exists

Yes

Illinois Tech Related

Yes

Report Availability

Not available via Contrails

Type

report