Energy absorption capacity of a sustainable Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) in quasi-static mode and under high velocity projectile impact

This paper investigates the energy absorption capacity of a sustainable Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) in quasi-static mode and under high velocity projectile impact. The design of the sustainable concrete mixtures aims on achieving a densely compacted cementitious matrix with a relatively low binder amount, employing the modified Andreasen & Andersen particle packing model. The experiments on UHPFRC are performed using a 4-point bending test and high velocity projectile impact tests. The obtained results show that although the utilization of hybrid steel fibre enhances the mechanical properties of the developed UHPFRC, the application of fibres with hooked ends is crucial in improving the energy absorption capacity of the sustainable UHPFRC in quasi-static mode. However, under high velocity projectile impact, the UHPFRC mixture with hybrid fibres shows a much better energy absorption capacity than the one with hooked steel fibres only, particularly in resisting the scabbing at the rear surface. The intrinsic mechanisms for the energy absorption capacity of the sustainable UHPFRC in quasi-static mode and under high velocity projectile impact are studied and analysed.