Drift-controlled design of reinforced concrete frame structures under distant blast conditions — Part II : implementation and evaluation

Abstract

The model for the calculation of an equivalent static force (ESF) and the design procedure with ESF for single-degreeof-

freedom (SDOF) systems presented in the first part of the two-part paper are extended into the design for a reinforced

concrete (RC) frame structure under distant blast conditions. An empirical formula for the ESF factor involved in the ESF

model is presented based on sample points obtained by comparing the nonlinear dynamic responses of frame structures

under the blast loading with the corresponding nonlinear pushover analysis of the structure due to an ESF. The use of the

method is demonstrated with two six-storey RC frame structures. Numerical verification of the method indicates that the

maximum inter-storey drift ratios (MIDR) of the two designed frame structures in comparison to their respective targets

are conservative to some extent. The reasons that may lead to the conservative designs are discussed.