Verification for Blast Load calculation
Document
Prepared By Elegancia Steel
Designed By ABD
Checked By AME
Revision and Date Rev – 0 || 14 May 2025
Blast Load Calculation
The explosion is affecting the structure at an angle of 23 degree.
The analysis as mentioned in the Design Codes section will be carried
out based on the ASCE 41088 for Design of Blast Resistant in
Petrochemical Facilities. Reference to section 3.3.2, the Peak Reflected
Pressure “Pr” is a function of the following two equations:
Pr = Cr * Pso
Pr = Cr * Pso Eq: 3.2
Cr = 2 + 0.0073 * Pso Eq: 3.3
Where:
Pr Reflected overpressure Pso Explosion overpressure Cr Reflection
coefficient
Accordingly, the following are the resultant “Pr” at the building sides:
Side Pso “KPa” Pr “KPa”
North East 6.4 13.1
South West 1.3 2.61
Resulting from the 23-degree angle, the following is the X-Y reflected
pressure acting on the structure:
The blast loads acting on the Main Force Resisting System (MFRS) may be
reduced under certain conditions. One such condition arises when
intermediate elements — such as purlin-to-frame connections — fail prior
to the full blast pressure being transferred to the structural frame. In
this scenario, the connection between purlins and the main frame governs
the force transfer, effectively acting as a load-limiting mechanism.
Structure Configuration:
- Bay spacing of frame: 8.0 m
- Purlin spacing: 1.5 m
- Blast load on surface: 12.06 kN/m² (as per referenced table)
The total blast force acting at a purlin-to-frame connection can be
estimated as:
F = Blast Pressure × Tributary Area = 12.06 × 1.5 × 8 = 144.72 kN
(Note: The factor of 2 accounts for tributary width on both sides of the
purlin.)
Connection Strength Check:
The purlin is connected to the main frame using four M12 A325 bolts in
shear. The shear capacity per bolt is approximately:
Shear Capacity = 4 × 18.6 = 74.4 kN
This is significantly lower than the demand of 289.4 kN. Thus, the
connection will fail before the full blast force is transferred to the
frame.
Effective Force Transfer:
Effective Load Transfer Ratio = 74.4 / 144.72 = 0.51
This indicates that only about 51.4% of the blast load can actually be
transmitted through the purlin connections to the main structural frame
before connection failure.
Design Consideration:
Based on this, a conservative assumption has been adopted:
Only 60% of the full blast load is considered in the design of the MFRS,
accounting for connection failure and ensuring safety without
overestimating force effects.
Calculating the reflected overpressure acting on the rigid frame:
Building Load on Columns
Side Key Plan
Value “KN/m” Direction
East = 5.11 * Column Width Toward South
= 0.6 * (5.11 * 1.5
*7.8) / 7.8
= 4.60 KN/m
= 12.06 * Side Toward West
Cladding Solid Area /
Column Height
= 0.6 * (12.06 * 8.1
*7.8) / 7.8
= 58.611 KN/m
North = 5.11 * Side Toward South
Cladding Solid Area /
Column Height
= 0.6 * (5.11 * 7.8
*7.8) / 7.8
= 23.915 KN/m
= 12.06 * Column Toward West
Width
= 0.6 * (12.06 * 0.7
*7.8) / 7.8
= 5.065 KN/m
West = 1.02 * Column Width Toward South
= 0.6 * 1.02 * 1.5
= 0.918 KN/m
= 2.4 * Side Cladding Toward West
Solid Area / Column
Height
= 0.6 * (2.4 * 8.1
*7.8) / 7.8
= 11.664 KN/m
South =1.02 * Side Cladding Toward South
Solid Area / Column
Height
= 0.6 * (1.02 * 7.8
*7.8) / 7.8
= 5.973 KN/m
= 2.4 * Column Width Toward West
= 0.6 * 2.4 * 1.5
= 2.16 KN/m
= 0.6 * 5.11 Toward South
Internal = 3.066 KN/m
Columns
= 0.6 * 12.06 Toward West
= 7.236 KN/m
Rafter = 1.05 * Cladding Downward
Solid
Area / Rafter Length
= 0.6 * (1.02 * 8.1 *
132) / 132
= 5.103 KN/m
