Effect of high strain rate on compressive behavior of strain-hardening cement composite in comparison to that of ordinary fiber-reinforced concrete

Split Hopkinson pressure bar and hydraulic machine experiments were conducted to determine the behavior of the SHCC and FRHSC at strain rates from 30 to 300 and 10−4 to 10−1 s−1, respectively. The Dynamic Increase Factor (DIFfc), the ratio of the material strength under dynamic loading to that under static loading, was determined for the materials considered. The fracture patterns of the specimens, matrix, and fibers were carefully examined. The results indicate that the fiber content has a significant effect on the DIFfc values. In addition, it is shown that the equations in CEB-FIP 1990 and fib 2010 codes are not applicable for SHCC and FRHSC beyond a transition strain rate of 30 s−1.