Moisture effect on compressive behavior of concrete under dynamic loading

Abstract

The effect of moisture content upon compressive mechanical behavior of concrete under impact loading was studied. The axial rapid compressive loading tests of over 50 specimens with five different saturations were executed. The technique “split Hopkinson pressure bar” (SHPB) was used. The impact velocity was 10 m/s with corresponding strain rate of 50 s−1. The compressive behavior of materials was measured in terms of stress-strain curves, dynamic compressive strength, dynamic increase factor (DIF) and critical strain at a maximum stress. The data obtained from test indicate that both ascending and descending portions of stress-stain curves are affected by moisture content. However, the effect is noted to be more significant in ascending portion of the stress-strain curves. Dynamic compressive strength is higher at lower moisture content and weaker at higher moisture content. Furthermore, under nearly saturated condition, an increase in compressive strength can be found. The effect of moisture content on the average DIF of concrete is not significant. The critical compressive strain of concrete does not change with moisture content.