ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE MECHANISMS IN BUILDINGS SUBJECTED TO BLAST LOADS

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of damage to buildings and infrastructure resulting from military actions, with a particular emphasis on modern conflicts and their devastating consequences. The primary focus is on a profound examination of various factors causing deformation and destruction: from the destructive effects of explosive shock waves and dynamic loads to mechanical impacts (shrapnel, direct hits) and intense thermal factors (fires, high-temperature exposures).The study encompasses a representative sample of over 150 structures of various types, located in active combat zones. This enabled a detailed examination of typical failure and degradation mechanisms in key structural systems, such as panel buildings, traditional brick masonry, monolithic and precast reinforced concrete structures, as well as lightweight frame and rapidly assembled constructions. Key findings confirm the empirically established pattern that the intensity of damage decreases exponentially with increased distance from the explosion's epicenter, which is crucial for hazard zoning. A significant correlation was also established between the nature of the consequences, the type of explosion (airburst, ground-level, subsurface), its power, and the structural features that determine a building's inherent resilience to external influences. To accurately assess the parameters of explosive waves, including their pressure, impulse, and duration, advanced methods were employed. These methods combine empirical formulas derived from field tests with high-precision numerical modeling using the finite element method (FEM). Based on the comprehensive analysis, a set of practical recommendations is proposed. They include the use of more durable, ductile, and energy-absorbing materials, the retrofitting and strengthening of existing buildings, and the optimization of urban planning solutions, considering principles of protective design and infrastructure dispersion. The objective of this work is not only to document and analyze damages but also to significantly improve existing methodologies for calculating structural responses to blast loads. Furthermore, the study investigated the impact of secondary factors such as collapses, ground deformations, and subsequent settlements, which often accompany primary destructions and exacerbate the overall condition of affected objects.