Computers and Concrete

Volume 3, Number 2, 2006, pages 79-90

DOI: 10.12989/cac.2006.3.2/3.079

Reinforced concrete beams under drop-weight impact loads

Ian M. May, Yi Chen, D. Roger J. Owen, Y. T. Feng and Philip J. Thiele

Abstract

This paper describes the results of an investigation into high mass-low velocity impact behaviour of reinforced concrete beams. Tests have been conducted on fifteen 2.7 m or 1.5 m span beams under drop-weight loads. A high-speed video camera has been used at rates of up to 4,500 frames per second in order to record the crack formation, propagation, particle spallation and scabbing. In some tests the strain in the reinforcement has been recorded using

Key Words

impact testing; drop-weight; RC beams; numerical modelling.

Address

Ian M. May and Yi Chen; Department of Civil Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UKrnD. Roger J. Owen, Y. T. Feng and Philip J. Thiele; University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK