The Ability of Carbon Fibers to Increase the Collapse Load of a Reinforced Concrete Walls under High Lateral Pressure

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the behavior of reinforced concrete walls strengthened with carbon fibers when subjected to high lateral pressure caused by an explosion. The focus initially is on determining the pressure wave generated by a 250 kg TNT-equivalent explosive charge, followed by an analysis of the wall's resistance to dynamic loads and an assessment of the effectiveness of carbon fibers in enhancing structural performance and reducing explosion-induced damage. 

The study was conducted using numerical models through the finite element method to simulate the impact of the blast wave on the wall, with results compared between conventional reinforced concrete walls and those reinforced with carbon fibers.

 The results showed that reinforcing concrete walls with carbon fibers improves their resistance to explosions by reducing cracking and increasing the wall’s capacity to withstand dynamic loads. Based on these findings, the study recommends the use of carbon fibers as part of a strategy to strengthen critical structures exposed to explosion risks, thereby enhancing structural safety and minimizing losses caused by severe loading conditions.