PDC TR-05-01

March 2005

Protective Design Center Technical Report

Single-Degree-of-Freedom Blast Effects

Design Spreadsheets
(SBEDS)

WBE Project
Contract No. DACA45-01-D-0007

Prepared for
USACE Protective Design Center
Omaha District

https://pdc.usace.army.mil/software/sbeds

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for Public Release;

Distribution is unlimited.
 SBEDS
(Single degree of freedom Blast Effects Design Spreadsheets)

Dale Nebuda, P.E.1

Charles J. Oswald, Ph.D., P.E.2
Abstract

SBEDS is an Excel® based tool for design of structural components subjected to dynamic loads, such as
airblast, using single degree of freedom (SDOF) methodology. This paper summarizes the key features
and processes of SBEDS. SBEDS allows the user to choose from 10 common structural components and
enter readily available parameters related to material properties and geometry and allow the workbook to
calculate the SDOF properties or directly enter the SDOF properties. Masonry, reinforced concrete, steel,
cold-formed metal, and wood components are included. Dropdown menus with common member sizes,
material properties, boundary conditions, and other inputs allow for quick model setup. Various support
conditions can be selected. A flexure resistance function is used with compression membrane and/or
tension membrane contributions where applicable. P-delta effects on components subject to axial load
can also be modeled. SBEDS follows the guidance contained in Army TM 5-1300, “Structures to Resist
the Effects of Accidental Explosions”, and Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-340-0 (FOUO), “Design
And Analysis Of Hardened Structures To Conventional Weapons Effects”, as applicable. Either
uniformly distributed or concentrated loadings are accommodated. The workbook will read an ASCII file
containing pressure/force time pairs or the user can enter a piecewise linear load consisting of up to 8
segments. Additionally, a uniform distributed pressure from detonation of a high explosive hemispherical
surface burst that accounts for negative phase loading can be generated within the workbook by
specifying the charge weight and standoff distance. Numeric integration of the equation of motion is
accomplished using a constant velocity method with user specified dampening considered. Maximum
and minimum displacements, maximum support rotation, ductility, and peak reactions are reported.
Additionally, histories for displacement, resistance, reactions, and load are available. Shear capacity of
the component is evaluated and reported. All input and output can be in a prescribed set of English or
Metric units. A detailed Help/Users Guide is hot-linked to the program that includes all the information in
this paper and additional information. SBEDS is a product of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Protective Design Center and was developed by Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants, Inc.
(BakerRisk).

Background

UFC 4-010-01, “DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings”, requires inhabited structures not
meeting minimum standoff requirements be designed to resist the airblast effects from an explosive
device detonated at the reduced standoff distance provided. Currently, several programs need to be run to
accomplish the design. Many of these existing programs were developed for the design of structures to
resist wartime (conventional and nuclear) threats. As such, these programs are more suited for robust
components such as heavily reinforced concrete and steel plate systems. Use of such programs when
designing more conventional components, i.e. rolled steel shapes, cold-formed steel members, concrete
masonry units, etc. are quite involved. Providing designers a more efficient tool suitable for satisfying the
UFC requirements is the reason for the development of SBEDS.

1
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Protective Design Center, 12565 West Center Road, Omaha, NE 68144-3869,
dale.nebuda@usace.army.mil.
2
Principal Engineer, Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants, Inc., 3330 Oakwell Court, Suite 100, San Antonio,
TX 78218, coswald@bakerrisk.com.

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Systems Modeled

The foundation of SBEDS is an SDOF numerical integration scheme capable of analyzing a resistance
function with five linear segments for initial response and five linear segments for rebound. This scheme,
which allows for softening in either phase, is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1. General Resistance-Deflection Diagram with Softening

R max
R2
Softening
Resistance

(k 3 < 0)

k2 k3 k5
R1
R 3 =R 4 k1
k1 k4 = 0

R 3_rb = R 4_rb
k4 = 0 x4 x max
R 1_rb x max + x 4_reb
k5 k3
k2
R 2_rb
Deflection

Note: ki are input stiffness for stiffness regions i = 1 to 5: ki>=0

ri are input inbound resistances for stiffness regions i = 1 to 5: ri>=0
∆ri = (ri - ri_reb)
ri_reb are input rebound resistances for stiffness regions i = 1 to 5: ri_reb<0
xi are input inbound maximum deflections for stiffness regions i = 1 to 5: xi>0
xi_reb are input rebound maximum deflections for stiffness regions i = 1 to 5: xi<0
Note 1: xi and xi_reb are only used if ki = 0

This solution scheme allows SBEDS to determine the response of numerous common construction
components/response modes as well as a general SDOF system. The component types available in
SBEDS are shown in Table 1. For each component a number of support and loading conditions can be
selected. A constant axial load for P-∆ effects can also be specified for a number of the components.
SBEDS calculates an equivalent lateral load at each time step based on the P-∆ induced moment. Table 1
also shows the support and loading options for the various components and Table 2 shows the response
modes that can be consider for each component.

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 Table 1. Available Components, Support Conditions, and Loadings
Supports Loading
Component Types
Conditions Conc1 Uniform P-Delta
One-way Corrugated Metal Panel X
One-Way Steel Plate X
One-Way Reinforced Concrete Slab X X
Cantilever
One-Way Reinforced Masonry X X
Fixed-Fixed One-Way Unreinforced Masonry X X
One-Way Wood Panel X
Fixed-Simple One-Way Steel Beam or Beam-
X X X
Column
Simple-Simple
One-Way Reinforced Concrete Beam
X X X
or Beam-Column
One-Way Wood Beam or Beam-
X X X
Column
Four/Three/Two Two-Way Steel Plate X
Adjacent Sides
Supported – Two-Way Reinforced Concrete Slab X X
Fixed
Two-Way Reinforced Masonry X X
Four/Three/Two
Adjacent Sides Two-Way Unreinforced Masonry X X
Supported –
Simple Two-Way Wood Panel X
Simple-Simple Open-Web Steel Joist X
N/A General SDOF System X X
1
– Concentrated load located at end of cantilever members, midspan for other support conditions.

Table 2. Available Response Modes

TENSION COMPRESSION
COMPONENT TYPES FLEXURE
MEMBRANE MEMBRANE
Corrugated Metal Panel X X
Steel Plate X X
Steel Beam or Beam-Column X X
Open-Web Steel Joist X
Reinforced Concrete Slab X X X
Reinforced Concrete Beam or
X X X
Beam-Column
Reinforced Masonry X X X
1
Unreinforced Masonry X X2
Wood Panel X
Wood Beam or Beam-Column X
General SDOF System N/A, user directly inputs resistance function
1
- Brittle flexure w/ axial load softening or ductile flexure
2
- Rigid arching only with user input gap at top of wall

3
Response Modes

The resistance functions for ductile flexural response are shown in Figure 2. For determinate boundary
conditions a two-stage (elastic-plastic) function is used. For indeterminate boundary conditions a three
stage (elastic-elastoplastic-plastic) is used. The parameters for these functions are based on the
methodology found in TM 5-1300 and UFC 3-340-01. If compression membrane or tension membrane
response is considered with indeterminate boundary conditions the three-stage resistance function is
converted to an equivalent elastic-plastic system for the initial behavior. For unreinforced masonry the
brittle flexural response that accounts for axial load shown in Figure 3 is used. This model is consistent
with the methodology in the Wall Analysis Code (WAC).

Figure 2. Resistance-Deflection Curve For Ductile Flexural Response

Figure 3. Resistance-Deflection Curves for Unreinforced Masonry with

Brittle Flexural Response and Axial Load From WAC Program

The tension membrane resistance function for steel members and compression and tension membrane
resistance function for reinforced concrete and masonry members follow the methodology of UFC 3-340-
01. The steel resistance function is illustrated in Figure 4 for a component with flexural and tension
membrane response. The tension membrane response after yield is based on the lesser of an input in-plane

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connection capacity or the dynamic axial tension strength of the cross section. In almost all practical
cases, the in-plane connection capacity controls. The resistance function for reinforced concrete and
reinforced masonry components with flexure, compression membrane, and tension membrane, which is
the most general case, is shown in Figure 5. Flexure with either tension membrane, or compression
membrane, can also be specified by the user.

Figure 4. Resistance Deflection Curve for Steel

Components with Tension Membrane

Figure 5. Resistance-Deflection Curve for Reinforced Concrete and Masonry

Components with Compression and Tension Membrane (from UFC 3-340-01)

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For arching of unreinforced masonry, the equations for compression membrane from Park and Gamble,
“Reinforced Concrete Slabs”, were modified to allow for a gap between wall and rigid support for non-
solid components, such as ungrouted CMU. The resulting resistance function is shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Arching Resistance-Deflection Curve for Unreinforced

Masonry Wall with Gap Between Wall and Rigid Support
Resistance vs Deflection
3.5
δg = deflection when corner of
rmax
3
wall engages rigid support
∆m = deflection at rm
rmax = max arching resistance
2.5
∆st= arching snap-through
deflection
Resistance

1.5

0.5

0
0 2δg ∆4 m 6 8 ∆10
st 12

Deflection

Loading

The user has three options for inputting the load used to drive the SDOF system. The user can directly
enter up to 8 pressure-time pairs into the workbook to represent a piecewise-linear load. SBEDS can also
read a file with up to 2000 pressure-time pairs where each line contains one pair, comma separated, per
line. This file format is consistent with the ASCII file option in DPLOT. In the third option the user
specifies a TNT equivalent charge weight and standoff distance and SBEDS calculates the pressure
history for a hemispherical surface burst.

When the charge weight-standoff distance option is used, the user can elect to use either side-on or fully
reflected pressure history and also elect to use both positive and negative phases (Figure 7) or positive
phase only. Peak pressures and impulses for positive and negative phases are calculated from curve-fits
to Figures 5-6 and 5-7 of UFC 3-340-01. The shape of the positive phase blast load is based on the
exponential decay equation used in ConWep, Equation 1. The shape of the negative blast pressure history
is from the DM 2.08, “Blast Resistant Structures”, (Figure 8). This shape is used for both reflected and
side-on loads, subject to the modification factor Cp- in Equation 2 that is required because the shape
equation in Figure 8 does cause an impulse that is exactly equal to the impulse from Figure 5-7 of UFC 3-
340-01. The calculated pressure histories are point-wise linear functions with 500 points each for the
positive and negative phases.

For cases where axial load is applied with the lateral blast load, SBEDS can calculate an “equivalent”
lateral P-∆ load (wequiv) causing a moment distribution in the component similar to that caused by the P-∆
effect, where ∆ is the midspan deflection at each time step and P is a constant input axial load. The
moment distribution has a midspan moment equal to P(∆)and no end moments at the ends of the span.
Equation 3 is used to calculate wequiv, at each time step and this load is added to the input applied load at

6
the next time step. The wequiv load vs. time is plotted separately in the output. This P-delta approach is
approximate and it matches relatively well against limited static validation, but should be validated
against dynamic finite element analyses. Table 3 shows a comparison of the equivalent lateral load
method in SBEDS to theory where elastic, essentially static lateral loads were input in SBEDS with axial
load.

Figure 7. Example of Positive and Negative Phase Loading

Applied Force History

30
25
20
Force (psi)

15
10
5
0
-5
0 20 40 60 80
Time (ms)

Equation 1. Positive Phase Pressure-Time Relationship

P ( t ) = Pmax ⋅ ( 1 − t / to ) ⋅ e ( −α ⋅t / to )
where:
P(t) = pressure at time t after arrival
Pmax = peak pressure
to = positive phase duration
α = decay coefficient

Figure 8. Negative Wave Shape Used in SBEDS from DM 2.08

2
P− 27 ⎛⎜ t − ⎞⎛
⎟⎜ 1 − t
− ⎞
⎟
=
Po − 4 ⎜⎝ to − ⎟⎜
⎠⎝ to − ⎟
⎠

P-/Po-

t -/to-
-
P o = peak negative pressure
t -o = 2*i -/ P-o
i - = negative phase impulse
Note: Used for reflected and side-on blast loads

7
 Equation 2. Negative Phase Time Correction
t − = t ' − *Cp −
i−
−
Cp = −
i'
where:
i’- = impulse calculated with equation for negative pressure history in Figure 8
i- = actual negative phase impulse from UFC 3-340-01 charts
t’- = negative phase times after first negative pressure from equation
for negative pressure history in Figure 8
t - = corrected negative phase times used in SBEDS calculations

Equation 3. Equivalent P-∆ Lateral Load

wequiv = W F ∆ (t )
KP
WF =
bL2
where:
wequiv = equivalent lateral load with same spatial distribution as blast load causing
P-∆ moments in component (added to applied blast load)
WF = equivalent P-∆ load factor
K = 8 for component supported top and bottom
= 2 for a cantilever
L = span length (in direction of axial load for 2-way spanning
components)
b = supported width of component loaded by blast
P = axial load
∆(t) = displacement at each time step in SDOF calculations

Table 3. Calculated Deflections from SBEDS for W12x40 Beam-Column

Compared to Theoretical Values (Moment Magnifier)
Boundary Span Effective Calculated Theoretical SBEDS/Theoretical
Condition (ft) Length with SBEDS (Calculated with Moment
(ft) Magnifier Method*)
Fixed- 50 25 1.25 1.11 1.13
Fixed 40 20 1.16 1.02 1.14
30 15 1.09 0.94 1.16
Fixed- 50 35 1.46 1.45 1.01
Simple 40 28 1.33 1.28 1.04
30 21 1.19 1.13 1.05
Simple- 50 50 1.81 1.78 1.02
Simple 30 30 1.45 1.43 1.01
15 15 1.11 1.11 1.00
*Cm=0.85 for fixed support, Cm=1.0 for simple support, Cm estimated as 0.93 for fixed simple support
Note: Static uniform lateral load in SBEDS was 50% of load causing first yield and axial load was 50% of
axial load capacity in all cases above for W12x40 where weak axis had continuous lateral support.

8
Solution Scheme

SDOF calculations in SBEDS are performed using a constant velocity numerical integration scheme as
generally recommended in EM 1110-345-415 “Principles of Dynamic Analysis and Design”, and Biggs,
“Structural Dynamics”, to solve the SDOF equation of motion at each time step. The constant velocity
method offers very stable solutions if small enough time step used. Based on numerous trials, this simple
method is stable and accurate for a wide variety of resistance-deflection cases provided the time step is
small enough, which is typically possible with the 2900 time steps in SBEDS. When checked against the
SOLVER and WAC codes for numerous cases (27) with multiple yield and stiffness combinations,
SBEDS results were generally within approximately 1%-2%. The constant velocity method has also been
validated against finite element calculations performed by BakerRisk in Table 4.

Table 4. Comparison of Constant Velocity Methodology to Higher Order Analysis

SDOF Model ADINA Model
Analysis Response Maximum Time of Max. Maximum Time of Max. Percent
Description Range Displacement Displacement Displacement Displacement Difference
(in) (msec) (in) (msec)
µ=3 5.507 35 5.232 33 5.0
Rectangular µ=10 17.17 51 15.19 47 11.5
Beam µ=20 33.73 65 28.58 58 15.3
26.11
µ=20 SDOF based on Z
55 28.58 58 -9.5
Elastic 2.297 23 2.250 24 2.0
I-Shaped Beam µ=2 5.962 29 5.853 29 1.8
(W8x24) µ=10 29.81 51 26.26 47 11.9
µ=20 59.55 66 49.98 58 16.1

SBEDS offers a recommended time step based on the minimum of the parameters listed in Table 5.
SBEDS will also accommodate initial velocities, dampening, and will calculate dynamic shear history
when user inputs appropriate constants.

Table 5. Recommended Time-Step Factors

10% of the natural period
10% of the smallest time increment in a manually input blast load
3% of the equivalent triangular positive phase duration or 1.5% of the equivalent
triangular negative phase duration of an input charge weight-standoff blast load
3% of the smallest calculated time between local maxima and minima points of a input
blast load file
The total 2900 time steps in the time-stepping SDOF method in SBEDS divided by 8
natural periods (but not less than 0.01 ms)

SBEDS Structure

The SBEDS distribution consists of the five files listed in Table 6. All user input and results reporting is
in the SBEDS.XLS workbook. SBEDS.xls consists of the nine sheets discussed in Table 7. An example
of member input, for a steel beam or beam column, is shown in Figure 9. SBEDS make extensive use of
dropdown menus to ease input. A list of inputs where dropdown menus are used is included in Table 8.
All drop-downs automatically insert properties of selected size/type into spreadsheet. Dropdowns for
material properties and members have a user-defined option that allows for modeling of non-library
materials and members. All input and output can be in a prescribed set of English or Metric units.

9
 Table 6. SBEDS Files
FILE DESCRIPTION
Workbook where user inputs required parameters, calculations are
SBEDS.xls performed, and results are reported. See
Table 7 for file structure.
Contains the input templates for the various components and general
SBEDS_templates.xls SDOF options. When a component is selected in SBEDS.xls, the
appropriate template is copied from this file.
SDOFLicense.dll A dynamic link library requiring registration with the PDC.
Contains guidance on specific input items in SBEDS along with
SBEDS_Help.pdf
information on methodologies employed in SBEDS.
Contains important information on configuring Excel to run SBEDS
READ_ME_1ST.pdf
and information on registration of SDOFLicense.dll.

Table 7. SBEDS.xls Sheets

SHEET FUNCTION
General administrative information
ReadMe
Support information
Component selection
Units selection
Intro Link to User’s Guide for discussion of methodology and many of the inputs
Workbook instructions
Discussion of workbook design
Separate component and units specific input sheets for each component
Input sheets show all required input parameters and calculated resistance-
deflection relationship
Input Applicable input sheet pulled into main SBEDS workbook by macro from
separate workbook (SBEDS_templates.xls)
Reports calculated equivalent SDOF system, maximum response
parameters, results of shear capacity check
Model can be saved/recalled from this sheet
Maximum response parameters
Results Response histories (deflection, resistance, equivalent P-∆, dynamic shear)
and resistance vs. displacement
SDOF Equivalent SDOF system
(hidden) Time-stepping SDOF solution
Properties of library members
Database
SDOF constants
PositivePhased
Positive phase blast parameters
Load (hidden)
NegativePhase
Negative phase blast parameters
Load (hidden)

10
 Table 8. Dropdown Menus
Subject Dropdown Options
Support conditions Variety of one-way and two-way support conditions with
uniform load and concentrated midspan load depending on
component type
Response mode Flexure, tension membrane, and compression membrane
depending on component type
Steel beam cross section AISC and cold-formed girts/purlins sizes
input
Open web steel joist size and K and LH series
strength input
Masonry type Brick, European block, and Heavy-Medium-Lightweight CMU
Corrugated metal panel Various MBCI and Vulcraft deck type including traditional
corrugated steel deck and standing-seam deck
Steel material properties Typical steel plate, beam, and rebar material properties

Figure 10 shows the detailed results presented on the Results sheet in SBEDS. The response maximums
and minimums are presented along with the response histories for displacement, applied force resistance,
equivalent P-∆ lateral load (for input axial load acting with lateral blast load), dynamic shear, and
resistance-displacement. Figure 11 shows results summary from the Input sheet in SBEDS for a
reinforced concrete slab. Response maximums and minimums, reactions, shear capacity, and warning
messages are provided. Required stirrups are calculated for reinforced concrete and masonry elements
when shear capacity is not sufficient. Figure 10 and Figure 11 show input and output in the English unit
system. Corresponding input and output templates are provided in the Metric unit system based on the
user selected unit system.

Figure 9. Example of Member Input (English Units)

One-Way Steel Beam or Beam-Column
Configuration

Span, L: ft
Spacing, B: ft
Boundary Conditions: Cantilever, Conc. Load at End

Response Type: Flexural and Tension Membrane S

Structural & Material Properties t
Axis of Bending: Shape:
Strong (X-X) W14X68
Self-Weight, w: 68 lb/ft
4
Moment of Inertia, I: 723 in
3
Section Modulus: Z (hot-rolled beam) or S (cold-formed beam): 115 in
Web Thickness, tw: 0.415 in
Depth, d: 14.04 in
2
Area, A: 20.00 in
Supported Weight, W: psf
Loaded Area Factor Applied to L*B in Resistances, Af:(Af<=1)
Inbound Unbraced Length for Compression Flange, Lbr,i: ft
Rebound Unbraced Length for Compression Flange, Lbr,r: ft
Steel Type: A36 (rolled shapes)
Yield Strength, fy: 36,000 psi
Ultimate Strength, fu: 58,000 psi
Elastic Modulus, E: 29000000 psi
Static Strength Increase Factor: 1.1
Dynamic Increase Factor: 1.29
Dynamic Yield Stress, fdy: 51,084 psi

Axial Load for Compression/P-delta Effects; P: (Note: P>=0) lb

Effective Unbraced Length in Strong Axis; Le: ft
Support Capacity for Tension Membrane, Vc: lb

11
Figure 10. Example of Detailed Results

12
 Figure 11. Example of Results Summary for Reinforced Concrete Slab

Distribution

SBEDS carries Distribution Statement A, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. SBEDS
can be downloaded from the USACE Protective Design Center website: https://pdmcx.pecp1.
nwo.usace.army.mil/software/sbeds/index.php. This site also provides links for user support.

References

“Blast Resistant Structures,” Naval Facilities Engineering Command Design Manual 2.08, December, 1986.
ConWep, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, May, 2003.
“Design and Analysis of Hardened Structures to Conventional Weapons Effects,” DoD UFC 3-340-01 (FOUO),
June 1, 2002.
“Design of Structures to Resist the Effects of Atomic Weapons - Principles of Dynamic Analysis and Design,”
Department of the Army Engineering Manual (EM) 1110-345-415, March, 1957
“DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards For Buildings,” DoD UFC 4-010-01, October 8, 2003.
DPLOT, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, May, 2001.
“Structural Dynamics,” J.M. Biggs, 1964.
SOLVER, Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory, August, 1989.
“Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental Explosions,” Department of the Army Technical Manual TM 5-1300,
Department of the Navy Publication NAVFAC P-397, Department of the Air Force Regulation AFR 88-22,
Departments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, Revision 1, November 1990.
Wall Analysis Code (WAC), US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, July, 2003.

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