Effect of high strain rate loading on compressive behaviour of fibre-reinforced high-strength concrete

Abstract

This paper presents a laboratory experimental study on the effect of high strain rate loading on compressive behaviour of plain and fibre-reinforced high-strength concrete with similar strength of 80-90 MPa. Steel fibres, polyethylene fibres and a combination of these were used in the fibre-reinforced high-strength concrete. Split- Hopkinson pressure bar equipment and a hydraulic test machine were used to determine the concrete behaviour at strain rates from about 10 to 300/s and from about 1024 to 1021/s, respectively. Dynamic increase factor and fracture patterns of the specimens, concrete matrix and fibres are discussed. The CEB-FIP equation is found to be applicable to the high-strength concrete, but overestimated the dynamic increase factor of fibre-reinforced high-strength concrete at strain rates beyond a transition strain rate of 30/s. A modified dynamic increase factor equation is proposed for plain high-strength concrete and fibre-reinforced high-strength concrete. © 2011 Thomas Telford Ltd.