Experimental and Numerical Study of the Performance of Self-Centering Frame Structures Subjected to Debris-Flow Impacts

Abstract

To investigate the performance of self-centering RC frame structures subjected to debris-flow impacts, a series of debris-flow impact tests of a traditional RC frame structure (TF) and a self-centering RC frame structure (SCF) was designed and carried out to determine the damage mechanism and the mechanical responses. The test results indicated that in the same loading cases, the residual displacement of the SCF was 68% that of the TF, the peak acceleration was 75% that of the TF, and the peak strain of the SCF was 71% that of the TF. In addition, the test phenomena showed that the damage extent and the crack propagation of the SCF were significantly lower than those of the TF. Finite-element analysis (FEA) of the tests was carried out. The numerical results were in good agreement with the test results, based on which the impact force and the reaction force were discussed. The numerical results and the experimental results revealed that the self-centering frame structure had the prominent impact-resistance performance under debris-flow impacts, which provides some reference for self-centering structure design in regions in which debris flow frequently occurs.