Numerical Study on Dynamic Response of Reinforced Concrete Columns under Low-speed Horizontal Impact Loading

In this study, seven vertical reinforced concrete (RC) columns of 150×150 mm2 square-section subjected to low-speed horizontal impact loadings were conducted, and the effect of impact weight and velocity on the dynamic responses and failure mechanism of RC columns were studied. The shear span ratio of specimens was designed to be 8, which exhibited flexural failure under large impact energy. With the increase of impact weight and velocity, the maximum impact force and the displacement promote almost linearly. On the other hand, finite element model (FEA) validated by experimental results using ABAQUS was developed for further investigation on the structural response under impact issue. Through the comparison between impact force and shear force of bottom cross-section, it can be found that the inertial effect takes a critical role in impact-resistance performance.