Scaling global and local responses of RC structural members subjected to near-field blast loading

Due to the strain-rate effect of materials, the test results obtained from scaled-down models might not be accurately extrapolated to those of the full-scale prototypes. In the present study, this challenge is addressed by modifying the scaled distance so that the model exhibits identical scalable behavior to the prototype. The global and local responses of reinforced concrete (RC) structural members subjected to near-field blast loading are major indices to evaluate damage extent, which are dominated by multi-governing factors, rather than a single factor, due to the complexity of the constituent materials. Consequently, the scaling laws of global and local responses may be inconsistent with each other. In view of this, the scaling methods of the global and local responses of RC members are proposed based on the Buckingham theorem, and are validated with the test results of RC members such as slabs and beams subjected to near-field blast loading. It is shown that the model developed applying the suggested scaling methods is able to precisely predict the global and local responses of prototype. Then, a scaling method considering the strain-rate effect and size effect is proposed. Furthermore, the distortion of reinforcement ratio frequently encountered in model tests, as well as the influence of constitutive equations on scaling results, are investigated. The proposed scaling methods in this study provide reference for the design and application of model test in the blast-related field.