Review of Effects of Loading Rate on Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

A survey of the behavior of reinforced concrete subjected to dynamic loading is presented. Provisions for seismic design in current design codes have been developed on the basis of results obtained from static tests. Realistic methods of design should take into consideration the strain‐rate‐dependent properties of reinforced concrete in order to accurately predict the behavior of a reinforced concrete structure subjected to dynamic loads. The response of reinforced concrete materials and elements to different strain rates is reviewed and discussed. As rate of loading increases, concrete compressive strength, steel yield strength, and flexural capacity of reinforced concrete member also increase. The increase in flexural capacity of individual members as a result of high strain rates, if significant, may shift the failure mode of a structure from a preferred ductile manner to a less desirable brittle mode.