Experimental and Numerical Study of RC Square Members Under Unequal Lateral Impact Load

Reinforced concrete members under impact loading stress may be destroyed in a split period. Because of the need to investigate the impact resistance of reinforced concrete members, this issue remains a much-debated topic. This study investigates the response of reinforced concrete (RC) square members under an unequal lateral impact force. The performance of RC members under the effect of impact load is examined using a drop hammer impact test system. The importance of unequal lateral impact load is highlighted and addressed by examining RC members' failure mode and dynamic response characteristics. Four types of RC members are experimentally investigated in detail. A finite element method (FEM) modeling is proposed to predict the impact responses of the RC members. Moreover, the effects of the impact position, height, and hammer mass on the dynamic response characteristics under an impact force are evaluated. The predictions of the proposed numerical model are validated against experimental results, emphasizing impact force history, deflection time history, and failure modes. Results indicate the viability of the FEM model. The findings from the experimental and numerical studies can improve the impact-resistant performance of reinforced concrete members.