Dynamic response of blast doors enhanced by enclosed-space TNT explosions: Experimental and numerical study

The afterburning of TNT and structural constraints in confined spaces significantly amplify the blast load, leading to severe structural damage. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the enhanced dynamic response of reinforced concrete blast doors with four-sided restraints in confined space. Explosion tests with TNT charges ranging from 0.15 kg to 0.4 kg were conducted in a confined space, capturing overpressure loads and the dynamic response of the blast door. An internal explosion model incorporating the afterburning effect was developed using LS-DYNA software and validated against experimental data. The results reveal that the TNT afterburning effect amplifies both the initial peak overpressure and the quasi-static overpressure, resulting in increased deformation of the blast door. Within the 0.15–0.4 kg charge range, the initial overpressure peak and quasi-static overpressure increased by an average of 1.79 times and 2.21 times, respectively. Additionally, the afterburning effect enhanced the blast door's deflection by 177%. Compared to open-space scenarios, the cumulative deflection of the blast door due to repeated shock wave impacts is significantly greater in confined spaces. Furthermore, the quasi-static pressure arising from the structural constraints sustains the blast door's deflection at a high level.