Performance of building structures affected by Scud missile attacks in Riyadh

This Paper reviews the performance of the affected building structures and highlights quantitatively the main structural behaviour due to the Scud missile attack in Riyadh. A general survey of all buildings affected by the Scud in Riyadh was carried out. It was found that almost all the buildings suffered a similar type of damage. As a case study, a three-storey building seriously affected by the Scud missile was chosen and assessed. In the investigation, the actual design stresses as well as blast stresses were considered and studied. It was found that buildings located 300 m from the blast point and beyond are capable of sustaining the imposed lateral blast load (equivalent to weight of charge of 85 kg of TNT). Based on the analysis and discussions it is recommended that hospitals and national defence buildings should be designed to withstand higher stresses than other buildings.