On the Residual Static and Impact Capacity of Shear-Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to an Initial Impact

Abstract

Impact loads in previous research showed to induce brittle responses of statically flexure-critical reinforced concrete (RC) beams designed for ductility. The impact load may produce flexural shear damage modes similar to that observed during quasi-static loads and local shear damage under the impact zone. The occurrence of shear damage modes during impact tests has been investigated extensively, but their effect on the residual quasi-static and dynamic capacity is not fully understood. For this aim, an initial high-velocity impact test initiated severe shear damage to RC beams. The beams were then tested quasi-statically and by sequential impact testing using the same setup as the initial tests. The results indicate a flexure-dominated response during sequential impact tests for beams containing extreme shear reinforcement amounts, favouring the energy-absorption capacity. Significant shear and flexural damage occurred for beams with less shear reinforcement, indicating a hybrid response that varied throughout the tests. The tests for the residual quasi-static capacity indicated severe consequences from initial local shear damage on the capacity, as shown by the brittle response of the beam with the most shear reinforcement. However, wide initial flexural cracks instead showed a favourable effect, as there was an indication of transfer from brittle to ductile failure. For beams showing both global and local shear damage, it was concluded that global shear damage modes were critical for the residual static and dynamic shear capacity.