Fracture analysis for reinforced concrete beams under impact using an enhanced interface viscoelasticity peridynamic impact-contact algorithm

Abstract

Traditional peridynamic impact-contact models satisfy momentum conservation by enforcing velocity consistency, but neglect energy conservation, leading to inaccurate energy transfer. This limitation leads to distorted simulation results of impact failure of reinforced concrete components, which cannot reasonably reflect the transmission and transformation of impact energy, thereby hindering a comprehensive understanding of their failure mechanism. A novel impact-contact algorithm is proposed ensuring conservation of both energy and momentum throughout the collision. The entire impact-contact process between the impactor and reinforced concrete beam is discretized into multiple time steps, within which the post-contact motion states are updated by solving coupled momentum–energy conservation equations for the interacting bodies. The instantaneous collision process is discretized into a series of transient contact events to ensure accurate transfer of impact energy and momentum. Furthermore, an interaction model for composite materials was established by introducing a realistic interfacial material layer between concrete and rebar. An enhanced interface viscoelastic peridynamic method was developed. Numerical simulations show an agreement with experimental results in terms of crack paths and failure modes. Analysis of crack evolution, energy dissipation, and strain rate effects reveals the mechanisms behind diagonal shear cracks and vertical tensile fractures. Parametric studies indicate that higher concrete strength and reinforcement ratios improve impact resistance, while increased impact velocity or mass promotes brittle failure. The proposed method enhances the accuracy of fracture prediction and offers insights for the safe design of reinforced concrete structures under extreme loading.