Concrete structures designed to meet blast criteria often require substantial increases in structural system size, weight, and cost when using conventional materials, but using higher strength materials may offer a way to mitigate these increases while achieving desired performance levels. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the performance of a high-strength Portland cement concrete, high-strength low-alloy vanadium (HSLA-V) rebar material combination that meets or exceeds blast resistance criteria while allowing a more efficient structural design than can be achieved using conventional materials. Twelve panels consisting of both single and double mat conventional Grade 60 rebar or HSLA-V rebar in combination with 4 ksi or 15 ksi concrete were tested using the ERDC quasi-static water chamber. Permission to publish this thesis was granted by the Director of the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

Master of Science / Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science / Kimberly Waggle Kramer / This report examines the effects of openings located at the base of reinforced concrete slender wall panels (tilt-up panels) designed in accordance with the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Committee 318-11 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Section 14.8 Alternative Design of Slender Walls. The parametric study calculates the reinforcement (longitudinal) required for specific panels in accordance with ACI 318-11 Section 14.8 and compares the designs to a finite element analysis conducted with SAP 2000 version 14 to determine the appropriateness of the assumptions made in Section 14.8. Furthermore, this report compares the design of a tilt-up panel designed by Section 14.8 Alternative Design of Slender Walls and designed by Section 10.10 Slenderness Effects in Compression Members.