Fundamental concepts in blast resistance evaluation of structuresThis article is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Blast Engineering.

This study critically discusses the fundamental concepts used for evaluating the flexural and axial resistance of structures under blast. Simplified methods based on single degree of freedom are emphasized. The paper begins with how to estimate the blast parameters for a given charge size and standoff distance. These parameters include side-on and reflected pressures, positive phase duration, and side-on and reflected impulses. Subsequently, blast damage criteria are defined in accordance with prevailing guidelines and some of their short comings are discussed. To assess the impact of blast on the flexural safety and performance of structures, some simple methods are presented. The methods are either empirical or are based on the principles of energy and momentum conservation. The analytical results are in closed-form or in the form of pressure–impulse (P–I) diagrams. The effect of strain rate on both blast-induced flexural deflection and strength of structures, with particular emphasis on reinforced concrete structures, is discussed.