Strain-rate effect on the tensile behaviour of concrete at different relative humidity levels

Abstract

A wide experimental study on dynamic behaviour of concrete has been carried out by means of the Hopkinson Bar Bundle. In order to study the effect of the internal relative humidity on the tensile behaviour of concrete loaded at different strain-rates, some specimens have been subjected to three different curing conditions and then tested under quasi-static, soft and hard impact loads. A physical approach is also proposed to explain the observed variation in strength.