A Study on Residual Axial Capacity of Impact Borne Reinforced Concrete Columns

Abstract: The paper discusses about the estimation of axial capacity of impact borne Reinforced Concrete (RC) column. The first attempt made and successful for real time experimental study and simulation of compression testing of RC columns after repetitive impact loads. The objective of this work is to estimate the residual axial capacity of RC columns damaged by different levels of repetitive impact loads. The exertion consisted of both experimental investigation and numerical simulation using finite element software. The FEM simulation was evaluated with the real time experimental data. An empirical factor was introduced which estimates the closeness of the numerical value with the experimental value. Based on the empirical factor, it was found that the both experimental and numerical values have good correlation on axial capacity of impact borne Reinforced Concrete column. The FEM simulation Abaqus software was used which assists us to find the stress accumulation zone in the RC column. The experimental studies, impact loads are created in the laboratory under load testing. Twenty RC columns were damaged by impact loads as well as axial compression testing were done. Among the 20 RC Columns four served for control and another four served for impact loads till ultimate failure. Remaining were divided as set of three and impact load was applied until various damage parameters developed under repetitive loading conditions. The post impact behavior along on load carrying capacity and failure pattern of RC columns were analyzed