Wave dispersion analysis and simulation method for concrete SHPB test in peridynamics

• A systematic peridynamics (PD) simulation method for SHPB test is proposed.
• Elastic wave dispersion in bond-based PD is analyzed analytically and numerically.
• Influence of two PMB constitutive models on the wave dispersion in PD is compared.
• Contact-impact algorithm is implemented, and two impact loading methods are compared.
• Damage evolution and dynamic fracture of concrete Brazilian disc in SHPB is analyzed.

The Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) technique is a widely used method for measuring mechanical properties of materials subjected to high-strain-rate loads, while it is difficult to simulate the whole testing process including high-rate deformation, local damage and failure of materials by the common numerical methods. In this paper, an improved numerical approach based on the non-local peridynamic (PD) theory is employed to study the elastic wave dispersion and propagation and the impact failure of concrete Brazilian discs in SHPB test. Meanwhile, an improved PMB (Prototype Microelastic Brittle) model and an implementation method of the contact-impact process are introduced. In PD, the nonlocal long-range force controls the numerical dispersion of wave through different material point sizes and horizon sizes. The numerical dispersion can result in a slight distortion of the wave speed and crack propagation speed, which is not conductive to failure analysis of solids. The improved PMB model can effectively lessen the numerical dispersion compared with the original PMB model. Furthermore, the PD simulation of concrete Brazilian disc SHPB test can reproduce damage accumulation and progressive failure of a specimen, and produce typical final failure pattern. The PD simulation method for SHPB test can be used to analyze the dynamic response of solids suffering impact load.