Dynamic response of rock sheds to successive rockfall impacts using lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) cushions: An experimental and numerical study
Hani Meree , Dongpo Wang , Shuaixing Yan , Mengjie Li , Shuai Lu , Marco Lovati , Fusheng Liu
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) as a novel cushion material mitigating repeated rockfall impacts on reinforced concrete (RC) slabs in rock sheds. Small-scale impact tests and finite element simulations analyze LECA particle size, cushioning material, block shape, and impact energy level influence on the dynamic response and damage. Results show LECA outperforms sand in attenuating impact forces and transmitted loads under successive impacts, which indicates a better protection effect on the substructure. Smaller LECA particles lead to wider stress distribution angles, longer impact durations, and lower peak forces. Block shape significantly influences impact force, with higher unified nose factors increasing forces. LECA cushions exhibit a dynamic amplification factor less than 1, indicating reduced transmitted loads compared to sand. Under high-impact energy conditions, the LECA cushion limits RC slab deflection within the elastic limit across all block shapes, while sand exceeds the elastic limit, potentially leading to structural failure. LECA mitigates flexural cracking and redistributes loads more uniformly, reducing overall RC slab damage compared to sand. However, localized failure modes require further optimization. This study highlights LECA's potential for enhancing rock shed structural safety and resilience against severe rockfall events, providing insights for optimal mitigation strategies.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Impact Engineering, established in 1983 publishes original research findings related to the response of structures, components and materials subjected to impact, blast and high-rate loading. Areas relevant to the journal encompass the following general topics and those associated with them:
-Behaviour and failure of structures and materials under impact and blast loading
-Systems for protection and absorption of impact and blast loading
-Terminal ballistics
-Dynamic behaviour and failure of materials including plasticity and fracture
-Stress waves
-Structural crashworthiness
-High-rate mechanical and forming processes
-Impact, blast and high-rate loading/measurement techniques and their applications