Computer Predictions of Tunnel Response to Blast

Abstract

Deeply buried bunkers offer a level of protection that is unmatched by conventional, above-ground, construction methods. The construction of the bunker itself, as well as ingress/egress and ventilation for the completed bunker, requires substantial digging. Thus, deeply buried bunkers are usually located within a mountain and accessed via tunnels. In order to better predict the response of tunnels and bunkers to an average design blast load, computer simulations were performed. First, a simplified groundshock numerical code based on an assumed geology and buried depth was used to predict the demand. Then, analytical methods were utilized to design the tunnel wall and bunker slab geometries and reinforcement details. Finally, high-fidelity models were developed to predict the structural response. Physical tests on scaled specimens validated the baseline simulations. Additionally, three concrete materials models are compared.