Numerical study of RC beams under various loading rates with LS-DYNA

Having an accurate understanding of concrete behavior under effects of high strain rate loading with the aim of reducing incurred damages is of great importance. Due to complexities and high costs of experimental research, numerical studies can be an appropriate alternative for experimental methods. Therefore, in this research capability of the finite element method for predicting concrete behavior at various loading conditions is evaluated by LS-DYNA software. First, the proposed method is presented and then is validated in three stages under different conditions. Results of load-midspan displacement showed good agreement between experimental and finite element results. Capability of finite element method in analyses of beams under various rates of loading was also validated by low error of the results. In addition, the proposed method has reasonable ability to evaluate reinforced concrete beams under various loading rates and different conditions.