Experimental and analytical study of the high-strain-rate compressive behavior of SFRC

Abstract

The compressive behavior of steel-fiber-reinforced-concrete (SFRC) is dependent on the loading rate. This research investigates, experimentally and analytically, the effect of loading rate on the compressive behavior of SFRC designed to be used in prefabricated urban protective furniture. For this purpose, cylinder SFRC specimens were subjected to modified instrumented-drop-weightimpact tests at four dropping heights and quasi-static tests with four different strain rates. The inertia force was analytically obtained and also experimentally measured. The results demonstrate that by increasing the strain rate, elastic modulus, compressive strength, and energy dissipation capacity have increased. Three different models were proposed for predicting each mechanical characteristic, one in the range of quasi-static and the others in the range of impact corresponding to the split Hopkinson pressure bar and drop-weight-impact tests. The experimental dynamic to static ratios obtained for SFRC properties were discussed and compared with those proposed by present study and from other researchers. Three proposed models significantly improve the prediction the dynamic increase factor values in terms of compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and toughness.