C&ENVENG 4099 - Structural Response to Blast Loading

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

With the increased world tension, terrorist bombing attacks are becoming a more and more realistic threat to society. These terrorist attacks usually target populated facilities such as office buildings and hotels, as well as diplomatic and military facilities, resulting not only in large economic loss, but also injuries and fatalities, social disruption and psychological impact to society. To reduce the consequences, it is essential to study the characteristics of structural response to blast loading and to develop effective blast resistant systems that can be applied to protect the building's occupants. In this course the following topics are treated: theory of wave propagation in media; empirical formulae to estimate blast loads around a structure at different scaled distances; material models for reinforced concrete and masonry under high strain rates; characteristics of structural response to blast loading and blast design procedures for structural members; retrofitting technologies to strengthen RC and masonry structures against blast loading.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code C&ENVENG 4099
    Course Structural Response to Blast Loading
    Coordinating Unit School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Eng
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge MATHS 2201, GEOLOGY 1104, C&ENVENG 2070
    Course Description With the increased world tension, terrorist bombing attacks are becoming a more and more realistic threat to society. These terrorist attacks usually target populated facilities such as office buildings and hotels, as well as diplomatic and military facilities, resulting not only in large economic loss, but also injuries and fatalities, social disruption and psychological impact to society. To reduce the consequences, it is essential to study the characteristics of structural response to blast loading and to develop effective blast resistant systems that can be applied to protect the building's occupants. In this course the following topics are treated: theory of wave propagation in media; empirical formulae to estimate blast loads around a structure at different scaled distances; material models for reinforced concrete and masonry under high strain rates; characteristics of structural response to blast loading and blast design procedures for structural members; retrofitting technologies to strengthen RC and masonry structures against blast loading.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Chengqing Wu

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    No information currently available.

    University Graduate Attributes

    No information currently available.

  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Lecture notes available from school office
    Recommended Resources
    Design of Blast Resistant Buildings in Petrochemical Facilities (ASCE 1997)
    UFC Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental Explosion 2008
    Structural Dynamics (Mario Paz 1985)
    Construction Vibrations (Dowding CH 1990)
    Online Learning
    Lecture slides; recommended homework exercises is available through online management systems MyUni (https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login/)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course uses a number of different teaching and learning approaches including:
    Lectures
    Problem-solving tutorials
    Software demonstrations
    Quizzes
    Project Design
    Final Exam
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Lectures = 2.0 hours per week;
    Software learning = 1.0 hour per week,
    Project Design = 2 hours per week
    Self-study = 1 hour per week
    Learning Activities Summary
    Weekly Schedule
    Wk Date Time Topic Room
    1 27 Feb (Mon) 1-2pm 1. Introduction Napier G03
    29 Feb (Wed) 4-6pm 2.1 Blast induced ground vibrations Benham Labs G10
    2 05 Mar (Mon) 1-2pm 2.1 Blast induced ground vibrations Napier G03
    07 Mar (Wed) 4-6pm 2.2 Free air explosion Tutorial Benham Labs G10
    3 12 Mar (Mon) 1-2pm 2.3 Surface explosion Napier G03
    14 Mar (Wed) 4-6pm 2.4 External blast loading Tutorial Benham Labs G10
    4 19 Mar (Mon) 1-2pm 2.4 External blast loading Napier G03
    21 Mar (Wed) 4-6pm Tutorial Quiz1 Benham Labs G10
    5 26 Mar (Mon) 1-2pm 2.5 Confined blast loading Napier G03
    28 Mar (Wed) 4-6pm 2.5 Confined blast loading Tutorial Benham Labs G10
    April 2 to April 23 Mid Semester Break
    6 16 Apr (Mon) 1-2pm 3.1 Analysis of Free Vibrations Napier G03
    18 Apr (Wed) 4-6pm 3.2 Response to Harmonic Loading Quiz2 Benham Labs G10
    7 23 Apr (Mon) 1-2pm 3.3 Response to General Dynamic Loading Napier G03
    25 Apr (Wed) 4-6pm 3.3 Response to General Dynamic Loading Tutorial Benham Labs G10
    8 30 Apr (Mon) 1-2pm 3.4 Nonlinear Structural Response Napier G03
    02 May (Wed) 4-6pm 3.4 Nonlinear Structural Response Tutorial Benham Labs G10
    9 07 May (Mon) 1-2pm 3.5 Generalized Single Degree of Freedom System Napier G03
    09 May (Wed) 4-6pm 3.4 Nonlinear Structural Response Quiz3 Benham Labs G10
    10 14 May (Mon) 1-2pm 4.1 Static versus dynamic material response
    4.2 Dynamic Increase Factors
    Napier G03
    16 May (Wed) 4-6pm 4.3 Yield and Ultimate Moment Capacity of a Section
    4.4 Resistance-Deflection Function
    Benham Labs G10
    11 21 May (Mon) 1-2pm 4.5 Structural Response to Blast Loads
    5.1 Structural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete
    Napier G03
    23 May (Wed) 4-6pm 5.2 Design of a one-way element in Flexure Tutorial Benham Labs G10
    12 28 May (Mon) 1-2pm 5.3 Column Design
    5.4 Masonry Design
    Napier G03
    30 May (Wed) 4-6pm Quiz4 Benham Labs G10
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Due date Weighting Learning Objectives
    Quizzes Weeks 4, 6, 9, 12 50% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Design Project 1 April 20 (Fri) 15% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Design Project 2 June 1 (Fri) 35% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    There are three 50-minute Quizzes (1-3), worth 20 % of your final mark and one 100-minute Quiz 4 worth 30 % of your final mark. Quizzes will be closed book and run under examination conditions. Each quiz will cover any of the preceding lectures and tutorials with a similar standard of problem. If you miss quizzes through medical reasons, please come and see me. Your quiz 4 mark should be at least 15 marks of the total 30 marks to pass the course (i.e. you have to pass the quiz 4 separately).
    Assessment Related Requirements
    The design report should consist of:
    1. START PAGES: Cover page, contents page and executive summary page of about ½ to 2/3 page that summarises all your important findings, deductions and originality. This is not a synopsis of  your report.

    2. MAIN REPORT: A MAXIMUM of 12 pages for both undergraduates and postgraduates. This must be self contained ie containing all the important tables and diagrams. You do not include your calculations in this report. You include the results of your calculations. In this report you explain what you have done, why you have done it and you discuss the results and draw conclusions. You use this report for in depth discussion and to bring out the originality of your work. This report should contain your thoughts. Use Times New Roman, font size 12, single spacing, with 2.54 cm margins. 

    3. HAND CALCULATION PAGES: You need examples of all your different analyses to illustrate to me that you know what you are doing. These must be done in PENCIL and the calculations clearly  annotated (ie explained in note form). No page limit.

    4. SPREADSHEET ANALYSES PAGES: All repeat analyses can be done using spread sheets. No page limit.
    Assessment Detail

    MARKING DESIGN REPORT:

    • First go through the HAND CALCULATION PAGES to determine whether you have done the calculations properly. If there are major errors which suggest you have little understanding, then you will be failed.
    • The SPREADSHEET ANALYSES PAGES will then be skipped.
    • Then go through your MAIN REPORT. There will be clear explanations of why you have done things, in depth discussion of the results, explanations and reasons of what is happening such as in the parametric studies, and evidence of originality.
    • A sequential assessment procedure will be used to mark the report. Examples of the application of the sequential assessment are given in the journal paper ‘Assessment of Deep Learning Ability for Problem Silvers’ in your handouts.
    • As an example, each component of your Design report will be assessed as in the table below. Report presentation and clarity will determine mark within a grade. If I am unable to understand, then this will be assumed to be incorrect.
    Submission
    Hand in Design Report 1 by Friday April 20 2012 before 4pm at pigeon hole for student submission specifically allocated for this project.
    Hand in Design Report 2 by Friday June 1st 2012 before 4pm at pigeon hole for student submission specifically allocated for this project.
    All late hand-ins will be penalised by reduction in the mark of 6% per day late for up to 7 days  including weekends after which a mark of zero will be given.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.