Prevention of Back Face Debris Scattering in RC Slabs Under Low-Velocity Impact Using Anchored Steel Deck Plates

The low-velocity impact of thin reinforced concrete (RC) slabs by accidentally dropped objects during building construction raises safety concerns, as complete perforation and back-face debris can injure workers and third parties passing under the slabs. Various methods have been proposed to enhance the impact resistance of RC structural members, such as using high-performance materials or surface strengthening with sheets or strip materials. However, these methods may increase construction costs and procedures, making widespread application challenging. This study proposes an anchoring system for the ends of steel deck plates to suppress debris scatterings. Because steel deck plates are commonly used under RC slabs in building construction as permanent formworks or materials for composite slabs, this system is cost-effective and straightforward. A half-scaled impact test was performed to compare specimens with and without the anchoring system, validating its effectiveness in suppressing debris scatterings. Additionally, a component pull-out test and a finite element analysis were conducted to explore the anchoring system's behavior, followed by an impact analysis considering the pull-out of the anchoring system based on the results of component tests and analyses. The analysis replicated the variation in deck plate detachment behavior with and without the anchoring system.