Concrete and Blast Effects

This publications contains papers presented at several technical sessions sponsored by ACI Committee 370, Short Duration Dynamic and Vibratory Load Effects. All of the papers included in this publication concern blast-resistant design, the major subject of the committee’s work. Committee 370 was established to address the general area of short duration dynamic and vibratory load effects, to evaluate existing knowledge, and to propose related recommendations for the design of structural concrete. Short durations were defined as durations being shorter than seismic loads, including such occurances as blast and impact. The committee has sponsored a number of technical sessions at ACI conventions and addresses such as the standarsization of test procedures, the interpretationof laboratory results, and the development of design criteria. Committee membership includes individuals with a broad range of engineering backgrounds including design, government and academic interests. The committee actively seeks input and participation from interested individuals. The field of blast-resistant design is currently of great interest to a diverse variety of individuals and organizations. Accordingly, the papers describe a range of applications for this seemingly narrow area of structural engineering: design to resist or discourage terrorism against civilian and governmental buildings, design to elimintate or minimize destruction from industrial accidents, and design to protect military facilities.