Response of prestressed reinforced concrete beam under impact loading through the experiment

Abstract

Dynamic behavior of pre-tensioned prestressed beams under impact loads is a crucial factor to consider when designing and constructing structures. The ability of prestressed concrete beams to resist such loads can have extensive consequences for their safety and performance because these structures are subject to a wide range of loading circumstances, whether static or dynamic. Despite the fact that prestressed concrete beams are often used, there are fewer research studies on responding patterns against dynamic loading. To address this issue, a Experimental study was conducted to investigate the dynamic behavior of a prestressed concrete beam under impact loading. The beam has a span of 1.54 meters, cross-sectional area of 150mm x 150mm and M45 grade concrete. 6mm diameter reinforcements were used and applied a total prestressing force of 50kN, which is equivalent to 5 percent of the axially compressive strength of the beam. The beam was subjected to a freely falling impactor of weight 290 kg with a height of 500 mm and to achieve desired impact energy, drop height has been varied. The failure pattern observed in the experiments due to impact load was flexural failure and in prestressed beam it was shear failure. As a conclusion, the peak impact force for prestressed beam was 150 kN which is higher than conventional beam having value of 115 kN. The study offers information about the dynamic behavior and responses of prestressed concrete beams, against impact loading which is beneficial for design consideration.