Collapse of Reinforced Concrete Column by Vehicle Impact

Walk-up apartments are usually supported by slender columns on the ground floor forming a soft story. The column slenderness ratio can be in the order of 6–9. Some of these structures are next to busy streets and hence continuously exposed to the potential hazard of a vehicle impacting on a column in an accident. In the early part of this study, the ultimate energy absorption capacity of a reinforced concrete column is compared to the kinetic energy embodied in the moving vehicle. The energy-absorption capacity is calculated from the force-displacement curve of the column as determined from a nonlinear static (push-over) analysis. Ultimate displacement of the column is defined at the point when the column fails to continue carrying the full gravitational loading. Results obtained from the nonlinear static analysis were evaluated by computer simulations of the dynamic behavior of the column following impact. Limitations in the static analysis procedure are demonstrated. The effects of strain rate are discussed and the sensitivity of the result to changes in the velocity function and stiffness of the impacting vehicle is also studied.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/10939687
• Authors:
  • Tsang, Hing-Ho
  • Lam, Nelson T K
• Publication Date: 2008-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 427-436
• Serial:
  • Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering
  • Volume: 23
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
  • ISSN: 1093-9687
  • Serial URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1467-8667

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Columns; Crash tests; Reinforced concrete; Structural analysis; Structural deterioration and defects; Structural supports
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Research; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01104173
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 17 2008 9:23AM