Influence of aggregate size and free water on the dynamic behaviour of concrete subjected to impact loading

¹ Laboratoire de Physique et Mécanique des Matériaux, Université Paul Verlaine – Metz, 57045 Metz Cedex 01, France
² Centre d’Etudes de Gramat, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, 46500 Gramat, France

^a e-mail: forquin@univ-metz.fr

Abstract

Concrete is a material widely used in civil engineering. Thus the knowledge of its mechanical behaviour is a major safety issue to evaluate the ability of a structure to resist to an intense dynamic loading. In this study, two experimental techniques have been applied to a micro-concrete and a common concrete to assess the influence of the aggregate size on the dynamic response. First, spalling tests on dry and wet specimens have been performed to characterize the tensile strength of concrete at strain rates in the range 30 – 150/s. Then, edge-on impact tests in sarcophagus configuration have been conducted. The cracking pattern of the micro-concrete and the concrete plates in wet and dry conditions have been compared to appraise the influence of aggregate size and free water on the damaging process.