Title: Impact Response of Ultra-High-Strength Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composite

Author(s): Vivek Bindiganavile, Nemkumar Banthia, and Brendt Aarup

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 99

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 543-548

Keywords: dynamic load; fiber-reinforced concrete; steel

DOI: 10.14359/12363

Date: 11/1/2002

Abstract:
Recent terrorist attacks have clearly highlighted the need for structures of military and strategic importance to withstand severe impact and explosive loads. Very high stress rates occur during such dynamic loads, and a large amount of energy is suddenly imparted to the structure. To resist such vigorous loads, the material of the structure must possess enough strength at a high stress rate and be tough enough to maintain integrity without shattering and collapse. In this study, compact reinforced composite (CRC), an ultra-high-performance steel fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) with a compressive strength around 200 MPa, was investigated for its response to impact loading using an instrumented drop weight impact machine. Direct comparisons were made with conventional normal-strength FRC. Results indicated that under quasistatic loading, CRC was two to three times stronger in flexure than conventional steel or polypropylene FRC and absorbed approximately three times greater energy. Impact tests revealed that CRC was approximately twice as strong as conventional FRC and dissipated three to four times as much energy. As expected for all high-strength materials, CRC was found to be less stress-rate sensitive than conventional FRC. CRC, therefore, appears to be an ideal material for use in structures of strategic importance where a high resistance to impact loading is desired.