Authors: Dr. R Sridhar
Abstract: – It is increasingly important for high-rise buildings in urban environments to consider blast threats arising from explosions. When blast loads produce high-amplitude and short-duration pressure pulses, they primarily pose a threat to the facade systems, which are at risk from high-rise blowouts. It could also cause harmful reactions over the world and the gradual breakdown of weak systems. The state-of-the-art in semi-active structural control techniques (particularly magnetorheological (MR) dampers) and passive protective measures (glazing, cladding, sandwich panels, anchorage/retention systems) is summarised in this review. Hybrid design approaches that integrate adaptive damping and material resilience are also examined. In order to identify critical research gaps (scaling of semi-active devices, controller latency for impulsive loads, long-term durability, and standards integration), we survey empirical blast test programs, standards and guidance documents, numerical modelling approaches, controller algorithms, and device technologies. We then suggest a prioritised research agenda that includes system-level testing, predictive control research, and demonstration projects.
