ABSTRACT
Abstract Abnormal Loading very often implies accidental loading, that is, loading of short duration generating dynamic and strain rate effects. We are dealing with high intensity of loading taking the structure far beyond its limits of load bearing capacity in terms of static loading for a very short period of time. It is a matter of fact that investigations in that case very often demand full scale or large scale testing in the real time domain. This, in turn, requires large scaled testing equipment, which need to respond at high speed under controlled conditions. At BAM, testing facilities, which have been developed for high speed tests on large specimens up to its failure after large deflections (Kinetic Load Bearing Capacity) are presented. They have been installed for tests on reinforced concrete structures under impact and impulsive loading and for tests on seismically forced structures. The paper discusses the aims of the tests and the range of parameters which are measured in the tests, such as force, velocity and dimensions of specimens. Keywords: Dynamic Loading, impact, impulsive loading, load carrying capacity, reinforced concrete structures, steel structures, testing devices.
