Displacement and stress response of open-web girders under near field explosive loading

This study employed numerical simulation to investigate the dynamic response characteristics of open-web girders subjected to proximity blast loading and to compare these characteristics with those of solid-web girders. The research utilized the Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) method for simulation, effectively combining the advantages of both Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches. This method mitigated issues related to mesh distortion while accurately modeling the damage inflicted by blast loads on the structures.The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the response differences between open-web and solid-web girders under blast loading, thereby providing a reference for relevant engineering design. Researchers used Abaqus finite element software to create three-dimensional solid models of both structural types and conducted numerical simulations to achieve these objectives.Results indicated that, although open-web girders and solid-web girders exhibited similar dynamic responses under blast loading, the nodes of open-web girders were more vulnerable to damage. Further analysis revealed that the local moments at the top rib, bottom rib, and shear key of open-web girders were critical to the overall displacement response, particularly when the shear key width was narrow. Increasing the shear key width could align the reaction of open-web girders more closely with that of solid-web girders.Significant differences were observed in reinforcement stresses between open-web and solid-web girders with identical longitudinal reinforcement configurations. These findings can enhance the understanding of the response behavior of open-web girders under blast loading and provide valuable insights for engineering designs.