Fraunhofer Building Innovation AllianceDynamic behaviour of lightweight walls under pressure shock loading
Construction Systems and Components − Easier and Faster Construction
Dynamic behaviour of lightweight walls under pressure shock loading
Experimental investigations and engineering models build the basis for the dynamic characterization of lightweight partition walls subjected to blast loading
seitliche Ansicht einer Leichtbauwand nach der Druckstoßbelastung am Stoßrohr des Fraunhofer-Instituts (EMI).
Front view of a lightweight wall after the pressure shock load on the impact tube of the Fraunhofer Institute EMI
Explosions caused by terrorist attacks, industrial accidents or explosive ordnance disposal scenarios causes hazards for humans and buildings. Windows and façade elements often fail because they cannot withstand the dynamic pressure and the blast wave can enter the building. Flying debris caused by component failure further increases the danger.
Lightweight partition walls are often used for room partitioning but their dynamic structure behavior is mainly unexplored. For the first time, researchers at Fraunhofer EMI have investigated lightweight walls under blast loading within a shock tube test series. Within the tests, the researchers varied the wall thickness, type of construction and load.
The experiments provided insights into the critical load-bearing capacity and failure mechanisms. The data obtained also served as the basis to derive an engineering model. This model enables a predictive evaluation of overall response behavior under arbitrary loads, wall thicknesses and construction types and is incorporated into hazard and risk analyses.
The derived results can be applied by planners as well as safety and security engineers, e.g. operators of chemical parks, to assess the interior damage within protective designs.