Energy absorbing blast wall for building structure

Abstract

A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. The wall is filled with an energy absorbing material. The lower ends of the vertical studs are connected to a lower track.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 113,911 filed on May 23, 2011, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 380,703 filed on Sep. 7, 2010, and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 437,628 filed on Jan. 29, 2011. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 113,911 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 336,524 filed on Dec. 16, 2008, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 015,195 filed on Dec. 20, 2007. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 336,524 issued on Dec. 20, 2011, as U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,188.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is generally in the field of protective wall structures for buildings, and, more particularly, is in the field of blast resistant walls.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Current existing blast re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The blast wall assembly described in this patent is a flexible system that effectively absorbs blast energy and prevents damage to structures. The components of the assembly flex, move, compress, and bend when exposed to blast waves, absorbing the energy and reducing the likelihood of failure. The assembly is designed to withstand high blast pressures and can be used as a non-bearing partition wall or a curtain wall. The system includes an exterior blast board that resists penetration by objects and allows for the lateral bracing of vertical wall studs. The upper and lower mounting systems absorb blast energy and resist destructive movement caused by the blast wave. The horizontal flange stud and angle clip also help reduce the effect of the blast force. Overall, the blast wall assembly provides a safer and more effective solution for protecting buildings and occupants from blast waves."

Problems solved by technology

Although the blast wall assembly may incur repairable damage, the blast wall assembly absorbs a substantial portion of the blast energy rather than imploding into the interior space of the structure.

Thus, when the load from the blast pressure wave is applied to the wall studs via the outer blast pane, the wall studs bend and deform and eventually stretch.

The magnitude of deformation of the wall studs may exceed the yield strength of the wall studs and cause a portion of the deformation to be permanent.

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