Response of a structure to an explosive-generated ground shock

Abstract

Measurements were made of ground accelerations and the resulting building accelerations at a point very near a large quarry blast. It is shown that, in the case of simple buildings, the building acceleration may be calculated with satisfactory accuracy from a knowledge of the ground acceleration. The response of the test building to the ground acceleration of a typical strong-motion earthquake was computed, and it was found that the resulting accelerations were in excess of those usually provided for in earthquake-resistant design. It is concluded that the satisfactory performance of well-designed structures during strong earthquakes may have two explanations: first, that vibration energy is dissipated by stresses in excess of the elastic limit, with the result that hidden damage may occur; and second, that ordinary buildings may have sources of strength which are not taken into account in their design.