Using the Abaqus CDP model in impact simulations

The understanding and assessment of accidental crash scenarios on reinforced concrete structures is of high interest for safety issues. Although experimental research on this topic has already a long and successful history, there are many issues waiting to be solved as far as numerical simulations are concerned. In this article some particularities of the Abaqus Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) model are investigated with the purpose of using efficiently the CDP model in impact loaded reinforced concrete structure simulations. In particular, the sensitivity of the simulation response with respect to model parameters and element size is studied. The simulation response is compared to measurements from benchmark impact tests on reinforced concrete plates.