Author(s)

SIQI CHEN, WEIFANG XIAO

Abstract

To evaluate the damage levels of H-section steel columns in steel frame structures under vehicle explosions, this study adopts a blast scenario similar to the Oklahoma City bombing (passenger/cargo van with a TNT equivalent mass of 1,814 kg). Five standoff distances (R = 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 m) and three angles of incidence (α = 0°, 45° and 90°) are considered to analyse the damage modes and residual load-bearing capacity of a full-scale steel column. Numerical simulations are conducted to capture the dynamic response and failure mechanisms of the column under blast loading. The results reveal that the columns may exhibit various failure modes, including tearing at flange–web connections, shear fracture at the base, global bending and torsion, and local buckling, depending on the standoff distance and angle of incidence. The study also quantifies the residual load-bearing capacity corresponding to each damage mode, providing a basis for evaluating the post-blast performance of steel columns. These findings offer valuable insights for the design and retrofitting of steel frame structures to enhance their resilience against vehicle explosions.

Keywords

steel column, damage mode, damage assessment, vehicle explosion