Title: Shear-Critical Impact Response of Biaxially Loaded Reinforced Concrete Circular Columns

Author(s): Indika Thilakarathna, David Thambiratnam, Manicka Dhanasekar, and Nimal Perera

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 110

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 565-574

Keywords: biaxial bending; concrete columns; eccentric loading; transverse impacts; vulnerability assessment

DOI: 10.14359/51685742

Date: 7/1/2013

Abstract:
A study on the vulnerability of biaxially loaded reinforced concrete (RC) circular columns in multi-story buildings under low- to medium-velocity impacts at shear-critical locations is presented. The study is based on a previously validated nonlinear explicit dynamic finite element (FE) modeling technique developed by the authors. The impact is simulated using force pulses generated from full-scale vehicle impact tests abundantly found in the literature with a view to quantifying the sensitivity of the design parameters of the RC columns under the typical impacts that are representative of the general vehicle population. The design parameters considered include the diameter and height of the column, the vertical steel ratio, the concrete grade, and the confinement effects. From the results of the simulations, empirical equations to quantify the critical impulses for the simplified design of the short, circular RC columns under the risk of shear-critical impacts are developed.