Experimental and numerical investigations on the impact resistance of SHCC-strengthened RC slabs subjected to drop weight loading: Fid-Bau Portal

Experimental and numerical investigations on the impact resistance of SHCC-strengthened RC slabs subjected to drop weight loading

Elnagar, Amira B. / Afefy, Hamdy M. / Baraghith, Ahmed T. / Mahmoud, Mohamed H.

Abstract

Highlights • SHCC-strengthened slabs are tested under the effect of drop weight loading. • The location of the SHCC layer at either tension or compression side is investigated. • The effect of surface preparation condition is mainly studied. • Impact energy of SHCC-strengthened slabs is obtained numerically using ABAQUS software. • The most favorable surface preparation condition is identified.

Abstract In this paper, a thin layer of Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites (SHCC) is provided in either tension or compression side of RC slabs aiming to improve their impact resistance under the effect of drop weight loading. The main parameter of the current study is the condition of the contact surface between the substrate slab and the SHCC overlay that was prepared by grinding, grinding plus steel dowels or grinding plus epoxy adhesive. Accordingly, 63 RC slabs were prepared and tested under the effect of drop weight falling from three different heights; 1, 1.5 and 2 m. It was found that the SHCC strengthening layer enhanced the impact resistance of the strengthened slab when added at either tension or compression side. However, in order to attain the outermost impact resistance showing ductile performance, it is better to provide a thin layer of the SHCC at the tension side of the slab connected to the substrate slab by epoxy resin applied on pre-prepared grinded surface. Furthermore, numerical simulations based on ABAQUS software package were performed on the strengthened slabs. Their results showed good agreement with the experimental findings from the viewpoint of the kinetic energy. Besides, the impact failure loads were determined numerically for the studied slabs and compared with those obtained from incremental static loading tests.