Efficient measures to mitigate effects of terrorist bomb attacks on buildings

This paper aims to present concepts that can help structural engineers mitigate the threat of hazards associated with terrorist attacks on new and existing buildings. The first part of the paper briefly refers to the bomb blast effects, to the damage of exposed buildings and to the reasonable measures adopted in the concept stage of design (urban planning layout, blast barriers). The second part presents the potential occurrence and propagation of the progressive collapse for reinforced concrete structures. For a better understanding of this phenomenon, an experimental test was carried out: a column situated at the ground level of an industrial multi-storey reinforced concrete structure was destroyed using explosive charges placed in boreholes. The test results were compared to data obtained from a 3D model analysis performed using the Applied Element Method, which combines features from finite element and discrete element methods. According to the results obtained, the paper offers the possibility to better understand the behavior of a building structure directly affected by a terrorist bomb attack.