Numerical investigation of projectile impact behavior of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete slabs

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In our earlier study, the impact resistance of slabs made up of concrete containing hybrid fibers (i.e., steel and synthetic fibers in various proportions) was evaluated through an experimental program. The test specimens, measuring 600 × 600 × 90 mm, were cast with varying amounts of fibers, while some were kept as control samples without any fibers. The high-velocity impact tests were conducted using a gas-gun system, where hemispherical steel projectiles were fired at the slabs. The craters’ sizes and penetration depths were measured. The hybrid fibers in the concrete reduced spalling and scabbing damage and reduced the size of craters. In the current study, the impact response of the hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HFRC) slabs was investigated numerically. LS-DYNA software was employed for this investigation, and crack sizes, areas of spalling and scabbing damages, and penetration depths were estimated. The numerical simulations provided an efficient and practical tool for analyzing the HFRC slabs’ response against impact load. The use of hybrid fibers decreased front surface damage and prevented concrete particles from flying out of the back face. The inclusion of fibers in concrete increased the perforation energy by 49%–203%. The numerical predictions of penetration depth were reasonably close, with absolute errors varying from 3.6%− 32.6%, and the error in the prediction of maximum rebar strain varied from 2.5% to 12.7%. The presented model thus has the capability to predict the local damages of various types of RC and HFRC slabs with acceptable accuracy.