City Research Online

Abstract

This study investigates the dimension scaling law for concrete beams reinforced with hybrid steel and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars under drop weight impact loading. The hybrid reinforcement system takes advantage of GFRP and steel bars, exhibiting high stiffness, and corrosion resistance, effectively enhancing the structural performance under extreme loading conditions. Based on a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model and dimensional analysis, a scaling relationship among geometric size, impact mass, and drop height was derived with the objective of achieving consistent maximum dimensionless mid-span displacement. Drop weight impact tests were conducted on full-scale and half-scale beams under different impact conditions to validate the proposed relationship. The experimental results showed good agreement in maximum dimensionless mid-span displacement between the scaled specimens, with deviations generally within 5%. A refined finite element model was further developed and validated against the experimental results. The validated model was then used to extend the investigation to scale factors ranging from 0.5 to 1.25 at different deformation levels. This work presents, for the first time, a dimension scaling relationship applicable to the impact response of hybrid steel and GFRP bar reinforced concrete beams. The derived theoretical relationships allow for predicting the impact behavior of large-scale concrete structures based on tests of small-scale specimens, thereby providing an essential theoretical and experimental basis for the impact-resistant design and safety evaluation of hybrid steel and GFRP bar reinforced concrete beams. The applicability of the law is limited to flexure-dominated global displacement response under the assumptions of geometric similarity, equivalent linear resistance, and perfectly inelastic impact.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2026 Elsevier Ltd. This is the accepted manuscript of an article published by Elsevier. Please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions for information on re-use.
Publisher Keywords:	Drop weight test, SDOF, Dimensionless analysis, Dimension scaling law, GFRP bar reinforced concrete beams
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Departments:	School of Science & Technology School of Science & Technology > Department of Engineering
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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