Performance of hybrid-fiber ECC blast/shelter panels subjected to drop weight impact

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental study to evaluate the damage and failure mode of hybrid-fiber engineered cementitious composite (ECC) panels caused by large projectiles or fragments. The aim is to quantify the extent to which hybrid-fiber ECC improves the resistance of blast panels against impact loading. Drop weight tests were conducted on full-scale hybrid-fiber ECC blast/shelter panels (2 m × 1 m × 0.05-0.1 m) to study their response and performance under impact loading. Conventional steel reinforced concrete (RC) and steel fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) blast panels were also tested to identify the advantages of using ECC in this application. Both the drop weight projectile with a hemispherical head and the panel specimen were instrumented to facilitate evaluation of the global and local response. The impact resistance of blast panels of different materials is evaluated in terms of the extent of damage, energy absorption capacity and residual resistance against multiple impacts. The drop weight impact test results showed that the hybrid-fiber ECC panels exhibit lesser damage, significantly improved impact resistance against multiple impacts and improved ductility and energy absorption capacity compared to both RC and FRC counterparts. A single degree of freedom model was adopted to analyze the global flexural behavior of RC and ECC panels. © 2007 ASCE.