Numerical Simulation of Impact Response Behavior of Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Slabs under Falling-Weight Impact Loading

A numerical analysis method for rectangular reinforced concrete slabs under falling-weight impact loading is established. The proposed method using finite element analysis incor-porates a simple constitutive model for concrete elements. The applicability was investigatedcomparing the numerical results with the experimental data. Falling-weight impact tests wereconducted on reinforced concrete slabs with different supporting conditions. These were: a slabwith line supports on four sides; a slab with two line supports on two opposite sides (the othertwo sides were free); and a slab with one line and two corner-point supports. Following resultswere obtained from this study: (1) the time histories of dynamic responses are well predictedby using proposed numerical analysis method; (2) maximum reaction forces and the maximumdeflections in the slab center below the loading point, and characteristics of the damped freevibration after falling weight was rebounded, can be better predicted; and (3) major crackpatterns can be roughly predicted despite of support conditions.