Anti-Impact Performance Enhancement of Two-Way Spanning Slab through the Implementation of Steel Trussed Bars

Abstract

Reinforced concrete (RC) slabs represent integral structural components extensively employed in architectural and infrastructural frameworks owing to their inherent robustness and longevity. In contemporary times, there has been a pronounced surge in endeavors aimed at comprehensively elucidating the anti-impact properties inherent in RC slabs. This surge is propelled by a compelling necessity to fortify these structures against the deleterious effects of low-velocity impacts, thereby ensuring their steadfastness and resilience. Consider the thorough investigation into the anti-impact characteristics of RC slabs, which has been rigorously pursued through both experimental and computational methodologies. A plethora of scholarly discourse on this topic is readily available, providing invaluable insights into the structural dynamics governing slabs subjected to low-velocity impacts. However, there is a noticeable gap in research concerning the strengthening of slabs through shear reinforcement, particularly through economical, easily fabricated, and efficient systems such as fabricated trussed bars. The primary objective of this study is to explore the structural behavior of RC slabs fortified with custom-designed trussed bars under the influence of low-velocity impacts. To accomplish this, the Abaqus software platform is explicitly employed for analysis. The slab without any shear reinforcement is experimentally tested and serves as a reference model for numerical verification. Its anti-impact performance is compared with numerical findings. Following validation, simulations are conducted for square slabs strengthened by fabricated trussed bars in orthogonal and diagonal layouts. The results demonstrate that employing fabricated truss bars shear reinforcement with a 3 mm diameter in orthogonal and diagonal layouts enhances the resistance of slabs to damage, resulting in a 28.41% and 47.06% decrease in damage, respectively. The utilization of engineered truss bars as shear reinforcement yields significant improvements in strength, rigidity, and ductility when compared to control samples lacking such reinforcement. This enhancement is particularly evident when the engineered truss bars are arranged in orthogonal and diagonal configurations.