Perforation owing to impacts on reinforced concrete slabs

Abstract

The development and testing of a finite-element model to investigate the impact resistance of reinforced concrete slabs, with and without metal decking, is described. The model is validated against empirical design formulae for cylindrical projectiles. A series of experimental tests involving I-sections impacting reinforced concrete slabs is described and the results are used to validate the model further. Having validated the model, it is then used to provide data for impacts of the slab by typical column sections used in multi-storey buildings. The results could be used to assess the potential effects of dropping components during construction.