Experimental of steel plates protected with gypsum boards subjected to explosion

In research pertaining to the response of steel plates or steel structures to explosive events, most investigations tend to overlook the potential influence of fire protection systems, such as intumescent coatings, on explosion absorption capabilities. It is widely assumed that board-type passive fire protection systems, such as gypsum boards, possess the ability to absorb and mitigate explosive forces effectively. The present study aims to conduct experimental investigations in order to assess the absorption capacity of gypsum boards in mitigating the effects of explosions. In this study, four equilateral steel plates with dimensions of 500 mm x 500 mm and a thickness of 3 mm were utilised. The region of exposure to the explosion was confined to 300 mm x 300 mm. The study examined three specific cases: Case 1, which involved solely a steel plate; Case 2, which involved a steel plate protected by gypsum board; and Case 3, which involved a steel plate protected by gypsum boards with a space between them. This study is a specialised explosion test that examines the efficacy of gypsum boards in safeguarding steel plates. The test employs a range of explosive charges to evaluate the protective capabilities of the gypsum boards. The experimental findings indicate that the magnitude of deflection for Case 1, Case 2, and Case 3 is 5 mm, 4 mm, and 1 mm, respectively. This observation demonstrates the capacity of gypsum boards to effectively absorb and mitigate explosive forces, thereby offering a protective barrier for steel plates in the event of an explosion. The findings indicate that Case 3, characterised by the presence of a gap between the steel plate and gypsum boards, offers the most effective protection for the steel plates.