Effect of reinforcement on the response of concrete panels to impact of hard projectiles

• A 26 concrete specimens impacted by hard projectiles was examined experimentally.
• The influence of the ratio and type of reinforcement was studied.
• The location of reinforcement mesh affects the front and rear face craters.
• Lining concrete target with steel plates has positive effect on the perforation resistance.

The impact of a hard projectile on a concrete target is a complex incident which cannot be described accurately without giving consideration to the effects of the different variables involved and to the associated physical phenomena. Among these variables are the reinforcement details in the concrete target. In this paper the response of 26 concrete specimens, with 500 × 500 × 100 mm3 dimensions, to an impact of 23 mm, 0.175 kg hard projectiles was examined in an experimental study. The tests were planned with an aim to observe the influence of the ratio and type of reinforcement (embedded rebar mesh or steel plate lining) on the performance of concrete under this type of loading. The variants that were examined were the location of reinforcement mesh and steel plate lining (front, rear, and both front and rear). The main findings show that the location of the reinforcement mesh affects the front and rear face craters. Also lining concrete target with front and rear steel plates has positive effect on the perforation resistance.