Blast Protection for Critical Infrastructure: Experimental and Numerical Studies

The protection of critical infrastructure is increasingly important, particularly given current global political developments. While research has focused on evaluating damaged reinforced concrete components, critical infrastructure in industrialized nations often relies on steel structures due to their superior performance. This study investigates the behaviour of bolted connections in steel structures after explosions, addressing the safe continued operation of critical systems. To tackle this issue, numerical and experimental tests examined bolted connections under highly dynamic loads. A far-field blast detonation scenario was used to analyse structural responses to high-velocity loads. The study aimed to identify failure mechanisms and develop a calibrated numerical model. Extensive simulations and experimental tests of explosion impacts on bolted connections refined the model further. The findings enhance understanding of bolted connection behaviour under extreme conditions and provide critical insights to improve infrastructure protection.