Numerical and experimental studies of concrete damage under impact

Abstract

This article reports the numerical and experimental studies of concrete damaged under impact loading. In the framework of continuum damage mechanics, a relatively simple damage model is developed by incorporating experimental relations to account for strain rate effects on concrete characteristics, such as tensile and compressive strengths and elastic moduli. The computational study is supplemented by an experimental investigation programme. A test rig with a spring ejector is designed to produce impact on concrete specimens. In conjunction, a thin load cell suitable for measurement of reaction force is specially developed. Comparison of numerical and experimental results show that the proposed model captures well the non-linear behaviour of concrete under impact compressive load.