To explore the anti-explosion protection effect of reinforced concrete slab structures strengthened with different material protective layers on the blast-facing side under contact explosion, this study investigates the shock wave propagation characteristics, energy absorption efficiency, and damage mechanism of the protected structures reinforced with protective layers of various materials (aluminum foam, polyurea, steel plate, UHPC, POZD, and CFRP). The protection effects under different protection schemes are evaluated using relevant assessment indicators. The research results demonstrate that all reinforcement schemes with different material protective layers can effectively mitigate the damage degree of the protected structures. Specifically, the energy absorption and impact strength of the structure reinforced with the aluminum foam protective layer are 285.5 kJ and 494.6 kJ/m², respectively, which are 97.7% and 74.3% higher than those of the schemes using other material protective layers. Additionally, the maximum support rotation of the aluminum foam protective layer reinforcement scheme (0.59°) is 76.8% lower than that of the unprotected scheme, with a significant reduction in damage grade. Therefore, it is recommended to adopt the aluminum foam protective layer for reinforcing protected concrete structures. The research findings can lay a theoretical foundation for the application of reinforced concrete structures in the field of anti-explosion protection.