Study on dynamic multiaxial tension–compression properties of different types of concrete

Abstract

The mechanical properties of four types of concrete, tested under multiaxial (biaxial tension–compression, triaxial tension–compression–compression) dynamic (strain rates of 10−5, 10−4, 10−3 and 10−2 s−1) complex stress states with different stress ratios, were compared and analysed. The same test apparatus was used in order to avoid test errors caused by differences of the triaxial testing machine. The aim of this work was mainly to determine the dynamic multiaxial (DM) strengths of the four concrete types. It was found that the mechanical behaviour of the four concretes was similar to a certain extent. The DM strengths of the concretes increased with an increase in strain rate and their DM strengths in any direction were lower than the concrete static strength under uniaxial tension and compression. The influence of strain rate and stress ratio on the DM strengths of the concretes were compared and analysed. A unified failure criterion was developed, expressed by the octahedral stress space criterion, of the various concrete types under DM tension and compression. This investigation provides a theoretical foundation for the design and checking of structures subjected to DM load conditions.