Testing the anti-explosion protection of HPFRCC for ready-mixed concrete system based on fiber selection and resistance to live explosives

Abstract

The aim of the research is to evaluate the anti-explosion protecting performance with proper workability of high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCCs) with combined fibers when exposed to live explosives such as those used in warfare and terrorist attacks. Various types of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites with high-energy absorption have been studied and determined resistant to explosions. However, because of difficulty of executing in-field tests using live explosives, the experimental data regarding these types of tests are difficult to be obtained and they are reported insufficiently. The data provided in this research regarding HPFRCC resistance to live explosives, is based on explosion tests conducted to test HPFRCC with various fiber combinations and contents. Binary fibers of long steel and organic fibers achieved desirable anti-explosion protection with synergetic effects from two different fibers with relatively less adverse effects on fundamental performances of fluidity, air content, and compressive strength. This research is expected to contribute on providing the explosion test data for combined fiber HPFRCC under conditions that can assist in providing both a sufficient protection for concrete structures under wide ranged explosions not only military and terrorist attacks, but also industrial accidents, and an enough workability to use with ready-mixed concrete system.