FE model to define impacting resistance behavior of RC beams protected by AlSi10Mg buffer interlayer

Abstract

Inspired by the biological structure of the beetle elytra, the bio-inspired honeycomb column thin-walled structure (BHTS) is designed as lightweight buffer interlayer to prevent the key parts of reinforced concrete (RC) beams of engineering structures under overload impact from destruction. The mechanical properties of the additive manufacturing technology selective laser melting (AM-SLM) BHTS material AlSi10Mg were determined through quasi-static and medium-speed uniaxial compression tests. Based on the drop weight test models, the maximum impact force and duration, maximum displacement and residual displacement, energy proportion and other indicators, the impact of the buffer interlayer on the dynamic response of RC beams were compared under the drop weight test at different heights. The results showed that the proposed BHTS buffer interlayer has a very significant impact protection effect on the RC beam: the average energy absorption (EA) of the BHTS buffer interlayer is 25.65 % of the total internal energy, which greatly reduces the energy input into the RC beam. In addition, based on the study of the drop weight test simulation of BHTS buffer interlayer, an approximate calculation model for predicting the ultimate displacement of BHTS-RC beam is proposed, which can be used as an important method for assessing the damaging degree of reinforced beam under impact load quickly. BHTS can be used as a replaceable structure to avoid impact damage to RC components in structural engineering.