In November 1999, GSA and the U.S. Department of State convened a symposium to discuss the apparently conflicting objectives of security from terrorist attack and the design of public buildings in an open society. The symposium sponsors rejected the notion of rigid, prescriptive design approaches. The symposium concluded with a challenge to the design and security professions to craft aesthetically appealing architectural solutions that achieve balanced, performance-based approaches to both openness and security. In response to a request from the Office of the Chief Architect of the Public Buildings Service, the National Research Council (NRC) assembled a panel of independent experts, the Committee to Review the Security Design Criteria of the Interagency Security Committee. This committee was tasked to evaluate the ISC Security Design Criteria to determine whether particular provisions might be too prescriptive to allow a design professional "reasonable flexibility" in achieving desired security and physical protection objectives.

Reflects developments in the field of blast engineering since the early 1990s. Combining coverage of the design standards, codes and materials with an appreciation of the needs and demands of the designer, this book provides the engineer with a comprehensive source of reference for the main elements of blast engineering design in modern practice.

Unique single reference supports functional and cost-efficient designs of blast resistant buildings Now there's a single reference to which architects, designers, and engineers can turn for guidance on all the key elements of the design of blast resistant buildings that satisfy the new ASCE Standard for Blast Protection of Buildings as well as other ASCE, ACI, and AISC codes. The Handbook for Blast Resistant Design of Buildings features contributions from some of the most knowledgeable and experienced consultants and researchers in blast resistant design. This handbook is organized into four parts: Part 1, Design Considerations, sets forth basic principles, examining general considerations in the design process; risk analysis and reduction; criteria for acceptable performance; materials performance under the extraordinary blast environment; and performance verification for technologies and solution methodologies. Part 2, Blast Phenomena and Loading, describes the explosion environment, loading functions needed for blast response analysis, and fragmentation and associated methods for effects analysis. Part 3, System Analysis and Design, explains the analysis and design considerations for structural, building envelope, component space, site perimeter, and building system designs. Part 4, Blast Resistant Detailing, addresses the use of concrete, steel, and masonry in new designs as well as retrofitting existing structures. As the demand for blast resistant buildings continues to grow, readers can turn to the Handbook for Blast Resistant Design of Buildings, a unique single source of information, to support competent, functional, and cost-efficient designs.

This excellent book highlights all aspects of the analysis and design of buildings subject to impact, explosion and fire. It is a definitive reference book and contains 10 chapters from a wide international prospective. Three-dimensional finite element and discrete element techniques are included. They are applied to buildings such as the World Trade Center (WTC Twin Towers) and the Federal Building in Oklahoma on the basis of the designers drawings, data and other information. Many small case studies are also included. The book has a comprehensive bibliography and a large appendix providing background analysis and computer subroutines of recently developed programs.