Investigation of low-velocity impact behavior of two-way RC slab strengthening with basalt TRM strips

Abstract

Reinforced concrete (RC) structural members could be subjected to impulsive impact loads due to various effects such as the collision of masses driven by rockfall, flood, landslide, avalanche, the crash of vehicles to structural elements in highway and seaway, airplane landing contact, the acting of explosion-induced air shock waves on structural elements as impulsive loads. The conventional design of RC slabs and similar structural members is carried out regarding vertical static and lateral dynamic loads such as earthquake and wind effects. However, the design phase mostly ignores impulsive loads such as impact and blast. Thus, these effects pose risks that the structures experience heavy damage or total collapse. Strengthening RC slabs with textile strips has become a preferred strengthening technique to prevent the collapse of structures and limit damage to structural elements. This study strengthened RC slabs with basalt textile reinforced mortar (TRM) strips in different widths, and layout patterns were tested for low-velocity impact load. In addition, the effects of BFRP fan-type anchors near the impact point on the behavior have also been investigated. The effect of various applied strengthening patterns on impact load transferred to specimens, dynamic responses such as acceleration, displacement, maximum strain, and dynamic failure modes occurred were investigated and interpreted in detail. The experimental results have also been compared with the improved finite element model (FEM) generated. It is demonstrated that the present FEM can be used to evaluate the impact response of the RC slabs with TRM strips.