Blast Vulernability Assessment

A blast vulnerability assessment of major structural components of the East Block of Parliament Hill was performed. The objective was to establish a preliminary estimate of structural vulerability to multiple external blast scenarios. Approximately 60 resistance curves, and pressure-impulse (PI) diagrams were generated for the entire exterior of the structure. The exterior walls were discretized into seven common wall types, considering typical offices, towers, entrance ways, senate chambers, and any other unusual structural configuration. Each wall type was further subdivided by storey level, which affects axial load. The out-of-plane blast resistance of the walls was analyzed using both a one-way and two-way flexural approach.