This paper summarizes the experience of one precast concrete fabricator in design, detail, and production of blast-resistant architectural precast concrete cladding for three government buildings. Compared with conventional design, blast design requirements do not significantly increase the required panel thickness or reinforcement; however, the connection design loads are typically much greater. Because certain items will result in significant cost increases compared with conventional precast concrete cladding, it is wise to engage a qualified blast-design consultant in the preconstruction phase. Precast concrete panels are designed to resist blast primarily by relying on their ductility to absorb the applied blast load energy. Connection loads are generally governed by the load capacity of panels rather than the applied load. The designer may wish to optimize the reinforcement for wind and seismic loads because load capacity and the corresponding connection design loads are governed by he reinforcement.
