Designing and Retrofitting of Buried Concrete Structures Against Surface Explosion

The construction of subterranean ammunition warehouses is of critical importance to maintain security and prevent potential damage to the materials stored within. To enhance the flexibility of these structures against possible attacks, the utilization of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) and the embedding of geofoam in the soil have demonstrated high efficacy. Furthermore, reinforcing specific components of the structure and utilizing a combination of these techniques can ensure further improvement in the structure's properties. This study identified the appropriate structure of underground ammunition storage in adherence to regulations. By employing software based on the finite element (FE) method and analytical analysis, the study defined the desired parameters and modeled the structure. Subsequently, the safety of the structure was fortified by implementing FRP and embedding geofoam in the soil, while simultaneously strengthening the roof using a pre-stressed tendon. The effectiveness of each of these methods was evaluated separately and in combination. The research findings demonstrate that the most significant increase in the strength of the underground ammunition storage structure was achieved when all the retrofitting methods were applied simultaneously. This resulted in a reduction of approximately 81% of the damage and 50% of the stress level compared to the unimproved state of the structure. Furthermore, the utilization of pre-stressed tendons resulted in an 83% increase in the strength of the structure. Additionally, the incorporation of FRP and geofoam resulted in a respective improvement of 40 and 41%, compared to the unimproved state of the structure.

Automated summary

The construction of subterranean ammunition warehouses is crucial for security and damage prevention. The use of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) and embedding geofoam in the soil can enhance the flexibility and strength of the structures. This study identified the appropriate structure and implemented retrofitting measures to improve the safety and strength of the underground ammunition storage.