Nonlinear Modelling, Design, and Test of Steel Blast-Resistant Doors

The non-linear dynamic response for steel blast-resistant doors is here described, referring to an innovative experience at both national and international level requiring an ad-hoc design and specific numerical simulations. The elements capability to sustain thermal loads due to fire hazards is additionally accounted for. The study has been conducted to define and characterize the non-linear behaviour of a large number of doors, with the objective of sustaining dynamic loads from explosive hazards of fixed magnitude, as well as variable design and clearing times. The local overcome of the material strength limit (with correspondent plastic response) and possible formation of plastic hinges has been critically discussed. Numerical models have allowed for refining first design sketches and subsequently understanding the real thermo-mechanical behaviour for the investigated elements. Some experimental tests have been additionally performed, so verifying the correctness of the already available numerical results, validating the adopted procedures and correspondingly guaranteeing the doors’ structural efficiency even under dynamic loads higher than design ones.