LAUSR

Abstract The blast experimental test is an effective method to observe the failure characteristics of reinforced concrete (RC) slabs to contact explosion. However, the existing explosion experiments on RC slabs are mainly focused on air blast. Corresponding experiments of RC slabs to underwater explosion are limited. In this article, both air and underwater contact explosion experiments are carried out. Ten specimens of concrete slabs including three plain concrete slabs and seven RC slabs are tested. Five specimens are subjected to air contact explosion, and other five specimens are subjected to underwater contact explosion. The influence of the boundary condition, reinforcement, charge shapes, and charge mass on failure modes of concrete slabs is investigated. The damage characteristics and failure modes of concrete slabs subjected to air and underwater contact explosions are compared. The results indicate that underwater contact explosion can cause more damage to the concrete slab than the same amount of explosive in air. Even one electric detonator detonated in the water can cause damage to the RC slab.