Residual Flexural Performance of Double-Layer Steel–RLHDC Composite Panels after Impact

Abstract

The mechanical behavior of steel–concrete–steel (SCS) sandwich composite structures under low- or high-velocity impact loading has garnered increasing attention from researchers in recent decades. However, to date, limited effort has been dedicated to studying the residual resistance of SCS sandwich composite structures following impact damage. In a previous investigation, the authors developed a rubberized lightweight high-ductility cement composite (RLHDC) for implementation in double-layer steel–RLHDC–steel composite panels and examined the dynamic response of these panels under impact. To further explore the residual performance of impact-damaged composite panels, the present study conducts flexural tests on nine such panels. The study quantifies and analyzes the effects of various connector types, connector spacing, number of concrete layers, rubber powder content, and number of impacts on the residual flexural resistance of the impact-damaged composite panels. Detailed analysis is conducted on the failure modes, load–displacement curves, strain curves, and load–slip curves of the impact-damaged specimens. The test results reveal that the impact-damaged composite panels experience flexural failure with bond slip under static load. The residual flexural performance is found to be sensitive to the number of concrete layers and number of impacts. Finite element (FE) simulations are performed using LS-DYNA to investigate the residual flexural behavior of the impact-damaged composite panels. The restart method is employed in the simulations to mimic the post-impact static loading scenario. The agreement between the FE results and the experimental findings validates the model and provides a straightforward and effective approach for studying the residual performance of composite structures. An expanded parameter analysis leveraging the calibrated FE model indicates that the steel plate’s thickness and strength predominantly influence the composite panel’s residual resistance, whereas the influence from concrete strength proves less consequential.