Impact resistance performance of precast reinforced concrete barriers with grouted sleeve and steel angle-to-plate connections

Abstract

This study presents the experimental and numerical investigations on the impact resistance of precast reinforced concrete (RC) barriers with grouted sleeve and steel angle-to-plate connections. Four full-sized precast RC barriers were prepared and tested using the pendulum impact facility. Three main parameters, including spacing of grouted sleeves, number of steel angle-to-plate connections and impact energy, were considered in the tests. The failure mode, impact force and lateral deflection of barriers were recorded and analyzed. Under impact loading, the spider-web-like cracks mainly occurred on the rear surface of the barrier, and the presence of the grout sleeve and steel angle-to-plate connections ensured strong anchoring. Additionally, finite element (FE) model was established and calibrated with the test results. With the calibrated models, the dynamic motion process, distributions of stress and strain, and energy absorption of precast RC barrier were analyzed and compared with the cast-in-place barrier. Finally, the influences of impactor mass, impact velocity, grouted sleeve spacing, and steel angle-to-plate connection spacing on the impact resistance were evaluated in the parametric analysis.