Behaviour of Different Types of Concrete under Impact and Quasi-Static Loading

Abstract

This paper describes mixture formulation of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) with 2% of fibres by volume and its response to quasi-static and dynamic impact loading. The UHPFRC mixture was prepared using locally available constituents and no special curing or mixing methods were used for its production. In addition, the mechanical parameters of three other types of concrete, i.e. normal strength concrete (NSC), fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) and high performance concrete (HPC) is compared. The main properties assessed throughout the experimental work are compressive, flexural and direct tensile strength as well as response of tested concretes to impact flexural loading. The impact loading is produced by a vertically falling weight of 24 kg from the height of 1 m on concrete prisms. The strain rate increase corresponds to low-velocity impacts such as vehicle crash or falling rocks. Compressive strength of UHPFRC exceeded 130 MPa and its direct tensile strength was 10.3 MPa. This type of concrete also exhibited strain hardening both in flexure under quasi-static conditions and during impact. Based on the comparison of impact reactions, it was concluded that the resistance of UHPFRC to impact loading is superior compared to the referent types of concretes (NSC, FRC, HPC).