Low-velocity impact behavior of two-way RC slab strengthening with carbon TRM strips

Abstract

Sudden dynamic impact loading on reinforced concrete (RC) slabs due to reasons such as the impact of debris due to landslide or rock fall, the impact of drifting objects due to effects such as flood or tsunami, the impact of vehicles on highway or seaway bridges, the impact of air shock waves due to explosions inside or outside of structures may lead damage and collapses. This study is aimed to examine the behavior of RC slabs reinforced with Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) strips, which have been used in reinforcement applications for the last ten years, under the effect of sudden dynamic impact loading. The variables examined in the experimental study are the TRM strip width, the placement of the strips, and whether the anchors are present on the strips or not. The acceleration-time, displacement–time, strain–time over the strips, and applied impact loading-time distributions are measured and interpreted under the effect of impact loading with a constant energy level applied by the drop-weight system. In addition, numerical analysis of the slabs is done with Ls-Dyna software, compared with the experimental results, and examines how successful the analysis results are. The reinforcement technique applied with TRM strips developed within this study's scope significantly increased RC slabs' performance under impact loading. The TRM strips used for strengthening in both directions were the variable that had the most positive effect on impact behavior. Increasing the strip width and anchoring followed the use of double directional strips in improving performance under the impact loading. © 2022 Institution of Structural Engineers