On the strength and toughness properties of SFRC under static-dynamic compression

The addition of steel fibers into concrete mix can significantly improve the engineering properties of concrete. This paper experimentally studies the mechanical behaviors of steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) through both static and dynamic compression tests. Cylindrical specimens with three different percentages of short and fine fibers 0%, 1.5% and 3% by volume of concrete are firstly fabricated. These specimens are then tested by MTS for static compression and split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) for dynamic impact. It is revealed that the failure mode of concrete considerably changes from fragile to ductile with the increase of steel fibers. The plain concrete may fail under low strain-rate single impact whereas the fibrous concrete can resist high strain-rate repeated impact. Stain-rate exerts great influence on concrete strength. Besides, toughness energy is proportional to the fiber content in both static and dynamic compressions.