Impact Resistance of Half-Skin Steel Plate-UHPC Composite Panels for High and Low Voltage Substations: A Parametric Study

This study investigates the impact resistance of hybrid steel-ultra-high performance concrete (HSU) composite panels used in electrical substations. A finite element model simulating the response of HSU panels under drop-weight impact was developed using ABAQUS software. The accuracy of the numerical model was validated through comparison with existing experimental results of single steel plate-concrete composite panels (HSC) subjected to drop-weight impact. Building upon the validated model, this research focused on analyzing the effects of key parameters on the dynamic response of HSU members. These parameters included steel plate thickness, impact velocity, shear stud arrangement, concrete strength, and steel plate strength. The results demonstrate that within the investigated parameter range, steel plate thickness, impact velocity, steel plate strength, and shear stud arrangement significantly influence the dynamic response of HSU members. Specifically, increasing steel plate thickness and impact velocity, as well as optimizing shear stud arrangement, effectively enhance the impact resistance of the members. Additionally, elevating the yield strength of the steel plate positively contributes to improving the dynamic response of the structure. This comprehensive parametric study provides valuable insights into the behavior of HSU panels under impact loading, offering guidance for optimizing their design to enhance impact resistance. The findings underscore the importance of careful consideration of material properties and structural details in the development of hybrid steel-UHPC structures capable of withstanding impact loads.