The proposed project encompasses an experimental and theoretical study of full-size and small-scale reinforced concrete flexural members subjected to high rate loads representative of real-life events affecting buildings and infrastructure. Loads will be applied by direct impact (open-loop) and at constant displacement rate (closed-loop), such that the strain rate ranges generated by the two methods will overlap. The primary objectives of the project are: 1) to improve the fundamental understanding of reinforced concrete response at varying load rates; 2) to analyze and predict behavior and failure modes of full-size structural members as affected by selected design variables; and 3) to establish a performance relationship between models and full-size members.
