Capacity Assessment of Confined Block (Eco-block) against Blast Loading

Abstract

Targeted acts of terrorism all over Pakistan haveremained an issue for past few decades. Where they have made Pakistan to suffer from a great loss of lives they have also damaged the key significant infrastructure of country. This study is primarily focused on finding a suitable way to enhance the resilience of the structure against blasts. While designing, it is the common practice of Civil Engineers that they do not take into account the load which acts on the structure as a result of blast. Impeding the effect of blast waves produced as result of explosion will not save only the structure but will also save countless lives. A new construction material named as “Eco-blocks” was introduced in market claiming to be more blast resistant and more economical than the ordinary means of construction like brick masonry structure. This research work will enable reader in making a decision, on the basis of experimental results, whether the use of “Eco-blocks” in place of brick masonry structures, is justified or not.