8.7 Structural Engineering
General Requirements
Designer Qualifications. For buildings designed to meet
Medium or Higher Protection Levels, a blast engineer
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following criteria do NOT apply to
must be included as a member of the design team. He/she
all projects. Follow each criterion only if instructed to by
should have formal training in structural dynamics, and
your project-specific risk assessment. Many criteria are
demonstrated experience with accepted design practices
based on the recommendations of a specific building risk
for blast resistant design and with referenced technical
assessment/threat analysis. Where the criteria include a
manuals.
blank or offer a choice of approaches, the recommenda-
tions from risk assessment will provide information for filling
Design Narratives. A design narrative and copies of design
in the blank or suggesting a choice of approaches.
calculations shall be submitted at each phase identifying
The intent of these criteria is to reduce the potential for
the building-specific implementation of the criteria.
widespread catastrophic structural damage and the
Security requirements should be integrated into the overall
resulting injury to people. The designer should exercise
building design starting with the planning phase.
good judgment when applying these criteria to ensure the
Compliance. Full compliance with the risk assessment
integrity of the structure, and to obtain the greatest level
and this chapter is expected. Specific requirements should
of protection practical given the project constraints. There
be in accordance with the findings of the facility risk
is no guarantee that specific structures designed in
assessment.
accordance with this document will achieve the desired
performance. However, the application of the criteria will
enhance structural performance if the design events occur.
methods are permitted, provided that the performance
There are three basic approaches to blast resistant design:
level is attained. A peer group should evaluate new and
blast loads can be reduced, primarily by increasing
untested methods.
standoff; a facility can be strengthened; or higher levels of
Methods and References. All building components
risk can be accepted. The best answer is often a blend of
requiring blast resistance shall be designed using
the three.
established methods and approaches for determining
The field of protective design is the subject of intense
dynamic loads, structural detailing, and dynamic
research and testing. These criteria will be updated and
structural response. Design and analysis approaches
revised as new information about material and structural
should be consistent with those in the technical manuals
response is made available.
(TMs) below.
Refer to Chapter 4: Structural Engineering, for additional
related information.
250 F A C I L I T I E S S T A N D A R D S
FOR THE
PUBLIC
BUILDINGS
SERVICE
8.6 Structural Engineering
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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