Failure analysis of reinforced concrete walls under impact loading using the finite element approach

•Our numerical analysis results agreed well with test results.•The effects of longitudinal rebar and shear bar were enumerated.•The appropriate number of layer of longitudinal rebar was recommended.•The appropriate shear bar spacing was recommended.•Two efficient designs of reinforced concrete walls was recommended.

In this paper, the punching resistance of a reinforced concrete (RC) wall under missile impact loading is evaluated using the finite element approach. The model is analyzed using LS-DYNA, a commercially available software program. The structural components of the RC wall, missile, and their contacts are fully modeled. Included in the analysis is material nonlinearity, which considers damage and failure. Damping effect is also taken into account. The analysis results are then verified with the test results. Parametric studies with a varying number of layers of longitudinal rebar and shear bar spacing are carried out to investigate the punching behavior of RC walls under missile impact. The distance travelled, scabbing area, and failure mode of various RC walls are examined, and efficient designs are recommended thereafter.