BBridges are critical to the transportation system especially at the time of crisis. They are essential for rescue missions, evacuations, and rapid distribution of aid and medical supplies. Bridges are highly visible and accessible structures which make them valued potential targets for terrorist attacks as their destruction could have significant impact on the nation. An efficient security system can minimize the potential of terrorism, yet it will not completely eliminate the threat. Consequently, critical bridges should be protected and designed to mitigate probable blast hazards.

The primary objective of this investigation is to analyze the effect of blast loads on critical bridge components and bridge global response, and propose protection measures for mitigating blast hazards. This investigation presents an overview of the characteristics of blast loads, pressure distributions, wave propagation and reflection, energy dissipation, and the factors affecting the behavior of structural elements subjected to blast loading.

Yahia M. Tokal-Ahmed: Response of Bridge Structures Subjected to Blast Loads and Protection Techniques to Mitigate the Effect of Blast Hazzards on Bridges, Ph.D Thesis, Rutgers University, 2009.


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