Finite Element Modeling of Steel–Concrete–Steel Sandwich Beams with Bolt Connectors Under Drop Weight Impact

This paper develops a three-dimensional Finite Element (FE) model using the non-linear explicit code in LS-DYNA to predict the impact behavior of Steel–Concrete–Steel (SCS) sandwich beams with bolt connectors. The accuracy of the developed FE model is validated by comparing the FE-predicted impact force and displacement–time histories with the experimental results of the SCS sandwich beams. The FE prediction shows a close match with the test results. Using the validated FE model, parametric studies are carried out to investigate the influences of different parameters, i.e., spacing of connectors, strength of concrete, presence of endplates, location of impact, mass of drop weight, and height of drop. It is found that the spacing of connectors and the strength of concrete have a limited influence on the impact resistance of the SCS sandwich beams with bolt connectors. However, the concrete strength significantly affects the inertial peak impact force. The SCS sandwich beam without endplates shows higher deformation compared to the beam with endplates, and the location of impact exhibits influence on the impact resistance of the SCS sandwich beams. It is also revealed that the maximum displacements of the SCS sandwich beams could substantially rise with the increase in mass of drop weight and height of drop.