Parametric Study on Dynamic Response of FRP Masonry Structures under the Impacts of Debris Flow

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of different parameters on the performance of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) masonry structures under debris flow using finite element models that were established using the software LS-DYNA. The overall structural responses under the impacts of viscous debris flows were analyzed based on an in-depth parametric study of some key factors (fiber types, relative impact positions, etc.). The results show that the diagonal and intersecting parallel types of FRP arrangements elicit better performances than horizontal types. Use of wider fiber cloths leads to the minimization of the structural response after its impact by debris flow. In addition, glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) yields the best results among all studied materials in reducing local damage, while carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) yields a better overall structural response. Impact positions at the center of the wall are more unfavorable than those at the corners.