A model to predict the rear face damage caused by non‐deforming projectile impact on plain and steel fiber reinforced concrete barriers

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents a model for evaluation of the rear face damage in concrete barriers subjected to impact of non‐deforming projectiles. This is an improved and extended version of a previously published model, which now covers both plain and steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) barriers. The rear face damaged area commonly measured in tests is characterized by an equivalent diameter, evaluated by the model. Calibration and then validation are based on published experimental data. Different sets of experiments, of plain concrete and SFRC, reported by different researchers, were used for the model's calibration and for its validation. The calibrated model's predictions show reasonable agreement with the reported experimental results, especially in view of their considerable scatter. The main findings from a parametric study of the model's predictions refer to the influence on the rear face damage (at barrier thickness lower than the scabbing limit thickness) of including steel fibers in the concrete mix, the barrier thickness, impact level, and the projectile diameter. The model's predictions demonstrate the lower extent of damage in SFRC barriers, compared to plain concrete. The use of the model enables quantitative assessment of this damage and of its reduction in SFRC barriers.