Calibration of KCC model for UHPC under impact and blast loadings

Abstract

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is a promising material for both civil and military protective structures against the potential impact and blast loadings. However, the existing numerical simulation studies related to the material model calibrations for precisely describing the dynamic behaviors of UHPC structural members under both impact and blast loadings are limited, and the calibration procedures are also not in consensus. This paper aims to propose a comprehensive Karagozian & Case Concrete (KCC) model parameter calibration procedure and reliable parameter generation method to well predict the dynamic behavior of UHPC members subjected to dynamic loadings. First, the failure surface, equation of state (EOS), damage evolution and strain rate effect parameters were comprehensively calibrated based on the existing experimental and analytical data of UHPC, and general guidelines on the determination of key KCC model parameters for UHPC are given. Then, the numerical simulations with both the autogenerated and the calibrated parameters were carried out to predict the dynamic response and damage evolution of UHPC members, i.e., reinforced UHPC beam and column, UHPC-FST beam, and reinforced UHPC panel, under drop hammer impact and field explosion. By comparing the test data, the validation of the proposed parameter generation approach is verified. The present work can provide helpful references for designing and evaluating the UHPC structural members under potential impact and blast loadings.