Dynamic response and behavior of reinforced concrete slabs under impact loading

Reinforced concrete slabs are among the most common structural elements. In spite of the large number of slabs designed and built, the effect of their details on their behavior under impact loads are not always appreciated or properly taken into account. This experimental study was aimed at understanding the dynamic behavior of structural concrete slabs under impact loading to improve the state of the art of protective design. This study investigated the effects of different types of slab reinforcements and the applied impact loads on the dynamic response and behavior of reinforced concrete slabs. Three different types of 90×1524×3353 mm (3−1/2″×5′×11′) slabs were tested, as follows: First; using two 152×152 mm (6″×6″) meshes of welded steel wires located under 25 mm (1″) of concrete cover on both faces of the slab; second, with one 152×152 mm (6″×6″) mesh of No. 3 steel bars located at the middle of the slab thickness; and third, with two 152×152 mm (6″×6″) meshes of No. 3 steel bars located under 25 mm (1″) of concrete cover on both faces of the slab. The drop heights of the impact weight were 152, 305, and 610 mm (6″, 12″, and 24″), respectively.