Reconfigurable blast resistant building

Abstract

A reconfigurable blast resistant building is disclosed. Shear walls are stationed at the ends of the building to provide rigid support. Intermediate removable panels are detachably attached in seriatim between the shear walls. Each intermediate panel comprises a blast-resistant body having a front wall and a pair of side walls. One of the side walls has an outwardly extending flange, and the other side wall has an inwardly extending flange for abutting against the outwardly extending flange of an adjacent panel to cover the joint between the two panels and protect the inside of the building from being directly exposed to a blast force.

1 . A panel for a reconfigurable blast resistant building comprising a blast-resistant body having a front wall and a pair of side walls; one of said pair of side walls having an outwardly directed flange, and the other of said pair of side walls having an inwardly directed flange for abutting against an outwardly directed flange of an adjacent panel. 
   
   
       2 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein said inwardly directed flange of said panel is spaced closer to said front wall of said panel than said outwardly directed flange of said panel by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of said outwardly directed flange, whereby when said inwardly directed flange of said panel is abutted against said outwardly directed flange of said adjacent panel, said front wall of said panel is substantially flush with a front wall of said adjacent panel. 
   
   
       3 . The panel of  claim 2  wherein said body is made of steel. 
   
   
       4 . A blast resistant wall for a blast resistant building comprising panels of  claim 2  fastened in seriatim. 
   
   
       5 . The blast resistant wall of  claim 4  wherein said panels are detachably attached in seriatim using a mechanical fastener. 
   
   
       6 . A reconfigurable blast resistant building comprising permanently fixed shear walls stationed at opposite ends of said building, and panels of  claim 2  fastened in seriatim between said shear walls. 
   
   
       7 . The reconfigurable blast resistant building of  claim 6  wherein said panels are detachably attached in seriatim using a mechanical fastener. 
   
   
       8 . The reconfigurable blast resistant building of  claim 7  wherein said permanently fixed shear walls include a shear wall comprising a blast-resistant panel having opposite vertical edges, a first channel connected to one of said opposite vertical edges, and a second channel connected to the other of said opposite vertical edges; said blast-resistant panel offset from edges of said first channel and said second channel to define an overhanging portion, the overhanging portion covering a joint between said shear wall and an adjacent shear wall. 
   
   
       9 . The reconfigurable blast resistant building of  claim 8  wherein said blast-resistant panel is inset from an outer edge of the first channel by a length l 1  and overhangs an outer edge of said second channel by said distance l 1  to define the overhanging portion, the overhanging portion connecting to a surface of a first channel of the adjacent shear wall. 
   
   
       10 . The reconfigurable blast resistant building of  claim 9  wherein said blast-resistant panel is welded to said first channel and said second channel. 
   
   
       11 . The reconfigurable blast resistant building of  claim 10  wherein at least one reinforcing member is welded to said blast-resistant panel between said first channel and said second channel. 
   
   
       12 . A kit for constructing a reconfigurable blast resistant building comprising shear walls permanently fixed to upper and lower structural beams, and panels of  claim 2  for detachable attachment in seriatim between said shear walls.