Analytical Study on Reinforced Concrete Columns and Composite Columns under Lateral Impact

This study investigates the lateral impact responses of reinforced concrete (RC) and composite columns through dynamic nonlinear analysis using LS-DYNA. The simulation results were first validated against experimental results performed earlier on four different cross sections. The finite element analysis results show that the simulation results of LS-DYNA can predict the experimental results well and can be used for further parametric analysis. The overall impact resistance of the four new composite columns is significantly better than that of RC columns. Among the composite columns, the solid concrete-filled double steel tube (S-DS) column has the best impact resistance with higher impact plateau force and smaller mid-span deflection under the same test conditions. It was found that the impact response process of all types of composite columns was similar. Finally, parametric analysis of the composite columns is performed to study the influence of load, material and other related parameters on the impact response of the composite columns. The results provide new information on the impact response of composite columns and the influence of materials and load parameters. The study provides a basis for the design and analysis of composite columns under lateral impact loading.