Structural design and analysis of an impact resisting structure for volcanic shelters

This paper describes the conceptual design, the engineering process and the implementation of an impact resisting structure for volcanic shelter. Basically, the designed shelter consists of two homologous reinforced concrete shells, interconnected by suitable flexible and highly dissipative devices, which absorb and dissipate the impact energy. The shelter has been purposely designed to resist, without damage, an impact with a 150 kg mass rock, colliding with the surface of the external shell at approximately 62 m/s. The characteristics of the shelter and the process followed in its design and implementation are illustrated. Particular attention is addressed to the mechanical behaviour of the impact absorbing devices. The numerical modelling of the impact phenomenon and of the shelter structure is illustrated. Finally, the results of accurate non-linear dynamic simulation analyses for safety verifications are discussed.