Design of Concrete Structures for Blast Effects (ACI Fall 2023, Boston, MA) This presentation will highlight recent developments in the behavior, design, and analysis of blast-resistant reinforced and prestressed concrete structural components with a particular focus on forthcoming updates to the latest ACI 370R document. A brief overview of the fundamentals of blast design for structural concrete members, incorporating both traditional approaches and recent recommendations, will also be included in the context of generalized loading conditions, pertinent material properties, modeling approaches, response mechanisms and corresponding criteria, and select case and research studies. Applications for both cast-in-place and precast construction will be discussed - in addition to provisions for structural masonry. Lastly, future research needs and the development of applicable standards and design guidelines will be presented.

Innovative Applications of UHPC in Columns (ACI Fall 2023, Boston, MA) Through a collaboration between the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and Con-Fab Precast Inc., several UHPC columns were fabricated using production scale techniques such as ready-mix trucks. Two different types of steel fibers were used: manufactured virgin steel fibers and recycled tires steel fibers and wires. The columns are connected to conventional concrete footings using different Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) seismic connections to be tested at one of UNR’s shake tables under combined axial and lateral earthquake loading. An overview of the construction experience and preliminary findings from the specimens assembly and testing at UNR are discussed in this presentation.