Dynamic response of CFRP-strengthened RC beams under close-in blast loading

Structures in service may be subject to blast loading, which can result in significant damage or even failure of critical structural elements. Understanding and mitigating such effects is crucial for ensuring structural resilience. This study conducts a comprehensive numerical analysis to evaluate the efficiency of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) as a reinforcing solution for reinforced concrete (RC) beams under explosive loads. Finite element (FE) models were developed using LS-DYNA to analyze the structural response, failure mechanisms of RC beams under blast conditions. To verify the reliability of the FE models, numerical results were systematically compared with experimental data from existing literature. CFRP reinforcement significantly enhances the load-carrying capacity and energy absorption of RC beams while also reducing mid-span deflection. Given excellent agreement with experimental data, the study further explores the impact of different CFRP reinforcement strategies through numerical analyses, considering key factors such as CFRP thickness, the number of reinforcement layers, and various strengthening configurations. Additionally, numerical simulations were conducted to generate Pressure-Impulse (P-I) diagrams for CFRP-strengthened RC beams subjected to blast loading. These diagrams help establish correlations between blast-induced damage, measured in terms of mid-span displacement, and applied explosive loads, offering valuable insights for structural design and retrofitting.