Nonlinear Behaviour of Concrete Under Low-Velocity Impact by Using a Damaged Plasticity Model

In this paper, a numerical and experimental study has been performed to determine a desirable set of values of concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) model parameters which could be used for improving the response of concrete against low velocity impact. The major advantage of finite element (FE) based numerical study is that it provides an opportunity to approximate the structural behaviour without conducting large-scale experiments, eventually leading to an overall reduction in the time, and cost of analysis. The drop impact on concrete has been simulated using CDP model, and the values of stress–strain characteristics of concrete at higher strain rates were developed using CEB-FIP (Model code for concrete structures, International Federation for Structural Concrete (FIB), Lausanne, 2010) model code. The CDP model parameters were varied over a broad range and the set of values that improve the response of concrete were identified. The results obtained from this study show that the recommended set of parameters have a potential to marginally improve the low velocity impact response and energy absorption capacity of concrete. In addition to this, the experimental studies have been utilized to validate the FE model as well as to find out the influence of compressive strength and the provision of longitudinal reinforcement on low velocity impact response. It has been observed that the use of higher grade of concrete as well as the provision of longitudinal reinforcement improved the performance of concrete against low velocity impact and reduced the resulting damage.