Fragmentation of Reinforced Concrete Slabs

Item

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