Comparison of ALE, LBE, and the Idealized Triangular Loading Method for Evaluating an EDST Blast Loading on a Laboratory-Scale RC Column

Abstract:

The collapse of buildings during explosions or other extreme events is often linked to the failure of key structural elements such as columns. As vertical load-bearing members, reinforced concrete (RC) columns are essential for maintaining the stability of structures, but are also among the most vulnerable components when exposed to blast loads. This study focuses on the numerical prediction of the dynamic behavior of RC columns subjected to explosive-driven shock tube (EDST) loading. The analysis is based on an experimental campaign using a laboratory-scale RC column specimen with a height of 1500 mm and a circular cross-section of 100 mm, tested under blast loading generated by a 30 g C4 charge. To simulate the structural response and optimize computational performance, three finite element techniques are evaluated and compared: Multi-Material Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (MM-ALE), Load Blast Enhanced (LBE), and the Idealized Triangular Loading (ITL) method. All three models are validated against experimental data. In terms of mid-span out-of-plane displacement, MM-ALE showed the best accuracy with a 2.1% discrepancy, followed by LBE at 8.8%, and ITL at 10.6%. Regarding computation time, MM-ALE required 12 hours, while LBE was three times faster and ITL was six times faster than MM-ALE. The LBE method presents a balance between speed and accuracy but relies on precise input values for reflected pressure and impulse, which are typically derived from MM-ALE simulations or analytical expressions. The ITL method, while computationally efficient, tends to overestimate peak displacements due to its simplified and uniform pressure application. Among the three approaches, MM-ALE remains the most accurate.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 171)
• Pages: 185-194
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-0rxeGV
• Online since: December 2025
• Authors: Walid Ben Kraiem*, Mohamed Ben Rhouma, Bachir Belkassem, David Lecompte
• Keywords: Blast Loading, Explosive Driven Shock Tube (EDST), Idealized Triangular Loading (ITL), Load Blast Enhanced (LBE), Multi-Material Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (MM-ALE)

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