Numerical Simulation of Reinforced Concrete Beams under Consecutive Impact Loading

To establish a performance-based impact-resistant design procedure for reinforced concrete (RC) members, it is essential to establish verification methods for limit states-mainly, serviceability and ultimate limit states. These limit states should be evaluated for single and consecutive impact loadings. The best way to accomplish this is to correlate experimental studies with numerical simulations. From this point of view, a three-dimensional (3-D) elasto-plastic finite element (FE) analysis method using simple constitutive models is proposed herein. This study aims at numerically evaluating the accumulated damage and residual load-carrying capacity of RC beams under consecutive impact loading. The applicability of this method is confirmed by a comparison with the experimental results. From this study, it can be seen that the maximum deflection, the residual deflection, and the vibration characteristics after impacting can be accurately predicted. These may be the most appropriate indicators for the evaluation of the damage and residual load-carrying capacity of the beams.