Numerical Simulation of Impact Loading for Reinforced Concrete Wall

ABSTRACT Safety assessment methods for evaluating the effect of an aircraft impacting a reinforced concrete (RC) structure at a nuclear power plant are required. The damage behavior of an RC wall during aircraft impact would be simulated by finite element analysis (FEA). A model for simulating an aircraft and the RC used in the walls of a concrete structure should be established before an impact simulation is conducted. However, many concrete models are usually installed in commercial FEA codes. In this study, concrete models were investigated, and a model that is appropriate for simulating experimental fracture behavior was suggested. Validation of the concrete model was confirmed by conducting simulations of quasi-static and impact loading. The material properties of concrete models were identified from experimental results of previous literature. The applicability of a concrete model for quasi-static loading and impact loading were investigated by comparing the experimental results. First, quasi-static simulation of an RC beam specimen is subjected to a three-point bending load. The load-displacement curve and damage behavior of an RC beam specimen was compared with the experimental result. Next, impact simulations were conducted of a F4 fighter engines (GE-J79) missile impacting into three different wall thicknesses of 900, 1150, and 1600 mm and then compared the damage to the wall in the simulation with the experimental results conducted at Sandia National Laboratory around 1990. The results of simulated load and damage behavior of the RC beam specimen and the damage behavior of the RC walls agreed with the experimental results. The concrete models can be used to simulate the damage behavior on an RC wall subjected to impact loading.