Analysis of dynamic fracture properties of High-Performance

Abstract

Concrete product research has experimented a deep change during the last decades in the search of novel products with improved mechanical properties. Conventional concrete (CC) is now being replaced by new high-performance-concrete (HPC) mixes, with compressive strengths ranging from to 80 to 200 MPa, offering great chemical resistance and improved durability. The use of these HPC mixes has been extended to a wide diversity of applications, from civil to military structures, allowing the development of new designs by increasing the compressive properties with a notorious self-weight decrease. As opposite to the improved quasistatic behaviour, HPC may be more susceptible to certain dynamic actions as compared to conventional mixes. Research in the dynamic behaviour of these new mixes is needed in order to ensure resilient structural designs. In the present paper, a compared analysis of the dynamic response of HPC mixes versus conventional concrete is carried. Using a Modified Hopkinson Bar, spalling tests are performed over cylindrical concrete specimens. Results on the dynamic tensile strength are compared for CC and HPC.