STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING PLANT BUILDINGS

As global security challenges evolve, engineering structural systems capable of withstanding extreme loading has become a critical priority. This research investigates the blast-resistant design and structural analysis of an Industrial Processing Plant building, utilizing the Equivalent Static Analysis (ESA) method as a practical alternative to computationally intensive dynamic simulations. While blast events are inherently dynamic and occur at high strain rates,this study focuses on developing a simplified, conservative design framework suitable for industrial engineering applications. The study began with the development of a comprehensive 3D analytical model using STAAD.Pro, incorporating a diverse range of load cases including dead, live, wind, earthquake (per ASCE 7-16), and thermal loads. A core focus of the research was the comparative performance analysis between Reinforced Concrete (RCC) and Structural Steel frames under identical blast scenarios. The methodology involved converting blast pressure-time histories into Equivalent Static Pressures using Dynamic Load Factors (DLF) to account for peak overpressure and impulse parameters. A significant portion of this project is dedicated to the quantitative verification of structural integrity for vulnerable components. Detailed analytical calculations were performed which are often the first elements to sustain blast impact. These elements were rigorously evaluated through: i. Bending Checks: Assessing flexural capacity to ensure the members can absorb energy through controlled deformation without catastrophic failure. ii. Shear Checks: Verifying resistance against high-velocity diagonal tension to prevent brittle shear "snapping" at the supports. iii. Crack Control Analysis: Evaluating post-event serviceability and the extent of material degradation to determine the feasibility of structural repair. Furthermore, the research explores mitigation strategies to enhance ductility, such as the use of Ultra-High Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) and advanced seismic style detailing to prevent spalling and progressive collapse. The results demonstrate that the ESA method, when coupled with rigorous bending and shear verification, provides a reliable and computationally efficient approach for ensuring the safety of industrial facilities. This work provides structural engineers with a validated roadmap for designing blast-resilient infrastructure that balances safety, cost, and analytical complexity.