ANALYSIS OF FAILURE MODES FOR REINFORCED-CONCRETE SLABS UNDER IMPULSIVE LOADS

The failure modes that can be associated with soft impulsive loads for reinforced concrete slabs are analytically predicted using a nonlinear dynamic layered finite element method. The failure mechanism at the ultimate states is also predicted and found to be in good agreement with the actual phenomenon. The effects of loading rates during impulsive loadings are also considered, and it is found that the failure modes are affected by the loading rates and also impulse from an impulsive load function. The failure modes can be predicted using the proposed analytical method. The failure modes can be classified into three different regions based on the loading rates. It can be concluded that this method may be used in future as a tool for a dynamic design method for reinforced concrete structures under soft impulsive loads.