In this paper, a new type of structure was introduced. The spatial steel grid structure was composed of the top layer, lower layer H-shaped steel ribs and square steel tubes. The shear key is the key part of the structure.Based on the real dimensions of a practical prototype,two sets of full-scale shear key specimens were made, one of which has vertical stiffening ribs. The loading tests of two groups of specimens were carried out to simulate cases under pure shears and the experimental results were compared with the simulations from the finite element analysis. The effects of vertical stiffeners on failure modes, ultimate loads, strength-yield ratio and ductility of shear key were studied through experiments. By parametric analyses in the present article, relations of the stiffening plates width and thickness was recommended.

Reinforced concrete shear wall structures (RCSWs) are commonly used as explosion-resistant chambers for storing hazardous chemical materials and housing high-pressure reaction equipment, serving to isolate blast waves and prevent chain reactions. In this study, full-scale experiments and numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the blast resistance of RC shear wall protective structures subjected to internal explosions. A full-scale RC shear wall structure measuring 9.7 m × 8 m × 6.95 m with a wall thickness of 0.8 m was constructed, and an internal detonation equivalent to 200 kg of TNT was initiated to simulate the extreme loading conditions that may occur in explosion control chambers. Based on experimental data analysis and numerical simulation results, the damage mechanisms and dynamic response characteristics of the structure were clarified. The results indicate that under internal explosions, severe damage first occurs at the wall–joint regions, primarily exhibiting through-thickness shear cracking near the supports. The structural damage process can be divided into two stages: local response and global response. Using validated finite element models, a parametric study was carried out to determine the influence of TNT charge weight and reinforcement configuration on the structural dynamic response. The findings of this research provide theoretical references for the design and strengthening of blast-resistant structures.