ElSayed, M., M. Campidelli, W. ElDakhakhni, and M. Tait, "Simplified Framework for Blast-Risk-Based Cost-Benefit Analysis for Reinforced Concrete-Block Buildings", Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, vol. 30, issue 4, 2016.
ElSayed, M., W. ElDakhakhni, and M. Tait, "Resilience Evaluation of Seismically Detailed Reinforced Concrete-Block Shear Walls for Blast-Risk Assessment", Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, vol. 30, issue 4, 2016.
ElSayed, M., W. ElDakhakhni, and M. Tait, "Response Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Block Structural Walls Subjected to Blast Loading", journal of Structural Enginering, vol. 141, issue 11, 2015.
Fakhry, M. F., M. M. Elsayed, and S. S. F. Mehanny, "Response of Skew Bridges for Permutations of Geometric Parameters and Bearings Articulation", Earthquake and Structures, vol. 17, issue 5, pp. 477-487, 2019.
ElSayed, M., ANALYTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BLOCK STRUCTURAL WALLS RESPONSE TO BLAST LOADS, , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, McMaster University, 2014.
El-Dakhakhni, W., W. Mekky, M. Tait, K. Simonds, and M. ElSayed, "RESILIENT REINFORCED MASONRY LOADBEARING WALL SYSTEM TO MITIGATE PROGRESSIVE COLLAPSE", The 10th International Conference on Shock & Impact Loads on Structures, Singapore, 25 November, 2013. Abstract

As part of the on-going research program at McMaster University to create a masonry blast performance database, several scaled reinforced masonry walls/panels were constructed in an effort to identify their response under to out-of-plane explosive loading. Three of these walls were constructed with built-in masonry boundary elements at the wall ends. This paper focuses on comparing the responses of these three resilient walls to three other walls with (conventional) rectangular cross sections subjected to the same blast loads. The performance enhancement to the masonry shear wall system was documented quantitatively and qualitatively through comparing the maximum deflection at the wall’s mid-height and the overall wall crack patterns. It was found that the shear walls with boundary elements behaved more like reinforced concrete slabs supported on four sides, thus responding in two-way bending, instead of the one-way bending seen in the shear walls with rectangular cross section. The maximum crack width sustained by the rectangular walls was always larger than those observed on the walls with boundary elements. In addition, the level of permanent deflection was significantly less in the walls with boundary element indicating their capabilities of preventing progressive collapse due to reduced P-Δ effects.

Simonds, K., M. ElSayed, W. El-Dakhakhni, W. Mekky, and M. Tait, "TESTING OF A RESILIENT MASONRY STRUCTURAL WALL SYSTEM UNDER BLAST LOADS", The 12th Canadian Masonry Symposium, Canada, 2 June, 2013. Abstract

As part of an on-going research program at McMaster University, six walls constructed utilizing
1/3 scale concrete masonry units were tested to observe their response due to out-of-plane
explosive loading. Three of these walls were constructed with a unique feature; built-in masonry
boundary elements producing a shear wall with end confinement. The response of these three
walls is compared to three similarly reinforced walls without boundary elements subjected to the
same blast loads in order to document, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the effect of the
boundary elements. To conduct this comparison, the maximum deflection at the wall’s midheight
and the overall crack pattern in each trail was compared to a conventionally designed
rectangular wall. It was found that the walls with masonry boundary elements behaved more like
reinforced concrete slabs supported on four sides, thus responding in two-way bending, instead
of the one-way bending seen in the walls with rectangular cross section. The maximum crack
width sustained by the rectangular walls was always larger than those observed on the walls with
boundary elements. In addition, the level of deflection was significantly less in the walls with
boundary element. The maximum out-of-plane deflection at the mid-height of the wall was
reduced by approximately 20 and 25% under 5 and 10 kg equivalent TNT shots, respectively.

ElSayed, M., W. El-Dakhakhni, S. Razavi, W. Mekky, and M. Tait, "Response of One-Way Reinforced Masonry Walls to Blast Loading", The 12th Canadian Masonry Symposium, Canada, 2 June, 2013. Abstract

This paper focuses on estimating the damage levels and evaluating the out-of-plane behaviour of fully-grouted reinforced masonry shear walls when subjected to blast loading. Three third-scale reinforced concrete masonry walls with typical dimensions of 1m x 1m, which were designed based on the Canadian Standards CSA S304.1-04, were tested using different weights of live explosives. The vertical reinforcement ratio was the same for all three studied specimens. However, three different explosive charges were used to experimentally evaluate the three wall performance and damage levels. In general, the results show that reinforced masonry walls, even with low reinforcement ratios, can withstand substantial blast load levels with minor damage. The test results are expected to contribute to the growing masonry blast performance database that will facilitate possible changes to the current blast resistant construction standards CSA S850-12. These findings are also expected to significantly influence the development of masonry design approaches under blast loading, while maintaining the advantage of simplicity and cost effectiveness of such a construction system.

ElSayed, M., and W. El-Dakhakhni, "MASONRY DESIGN FOR BLAST LOADINGMASONRY DESIGN FOR BLAST LOADING", The 15th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, Brazil, 2 June, 2012. Abstract

In order to protect the building occupants against accidental or deliberate blast loads, special expertise and knowledge are necessary to ensure adequate performance of the structural system. Although the structure may require an extensive repair following a blast event, the main goal of the protective design is to avoid structural progressive collapse and minimize fragments. Blast loading is very different from other forms of dynamic loading generally analyzed by structural engineers. Peak pressures are several orders of magnitude higher than those associated with other typical dynamic loads, and blast load durations are usually much shorten than the fundamental period of the structure. This paper will focus on the blast loading phenomena as a part of the design requirement implemented in the two recently developed North America’s codes, ASCE SEI59-11 (2011) and CAN CSA S850-12 (2012). A description of different level of protections and various masonry loads is presented in this paper, in addition to the general considerations in standards and design guidelines for constructing masonry structures to resist explosive loads.