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Zanuy Sanchez, CarlosSupervisor

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Acceptable life safety risks associated with the effects of gas explosions on reinforced concrete structures

Date read: 2017-01-01 {_iPublic_txt_centro_}: E.T.S. DE ING. DE CAMINOS CANALES Y P.. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid | ID: https://oa.upm.es/47772/

Author: Hingorani, Ramon

Director: Tanner, Peter ; Zanuy Sanchez, Carlos

Abstract

Accidental actions on structures may be characterized as low probability - high consequence events. On one hand, their occurrence during the envisaged design working life of the structure is unlikely. On the other, if not appropriately accounted for, the associated effects on structures might entail significant damage. Since moreover such effects are subjected to high uncertainties, decision-making related to structural safety accounting for accidental actions is generally difficult and prone to be based on irrational grounds. Among such actions, gas explosions, are a good example. Despite the continuous modernization of gas installations and appliances, available statistics from different countries show that the occurrence rate of such explosions in buildings does not seem to decrease in a significant way. While the hazard potential is known and recognized, and although dealt with in many design codes, gas explosions are seldom accounted for in the design and evaluation of ordinary building structures. The low occurrence probability evokes reluctance to allocate resources to mitigate the associated risks, which, as a consequence, are often ignored and sometimes consciously accepted. The question if “doing nothing” is a justified practice cannot be easily answered however, since under the implicit approach adopted in everyday practice for verification of structural safety the risks are not quantified nor are acceptable risk levels established. (Summary)

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