CONCRETE SPALL PROTECTION DEVELOPMENT

HIGH PRESSURE BLAST OR IMPACT LOADS ON THE OUTSIDE OF A CONCRETE WALL CAN CAUSE SPALLING OF THE INSIDE OF THE WALL. FLYING SPALL FRAGMENTS ARE DANGEROUS TO PERSONAL AND EQUIPMENT INSIDE CONCRETE BUILDINGS SUBJECTED TO ATTACK OR ACCIDENTIAL EXPLOSION. THIS PROPOSAL DETAILS THE LOGICAL, STEP-BY-STEP DEVELOPMENT OF A SPALL PROTECTION SYSTEM THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO NEW AND EXISTING CONCRETE WALLS. THE STEPS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM INCLUDE DEFINITION OF LOADS AND MATERIAL MODELS, IDENTIFICATION OF SPALL PREVENTION CONCEPTS, DEFINITION OF GEOMETRIC AND MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS, IDENTIFICATION OF SUITABLE MATERIALS, AND FINAL EVALUATION OF CANDIDATE SPALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS. FACTORS WHICH WILL BE EVALUATED INCLUDE COST, EASE OF INSTALLATION, AND MAINTAINABILITY. THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY WILL BE PRESENTED IN A FINAL REPORT.