Ultra-high performance concrete targets against high velocity projectile impact – a-state-of-the-art review

• Published in: International journal of impact engineering Vol. 160; p. 104080
• Main Authors: Liu, Jian, Li, Jun, Fang, Jianguang, Su, Yu, Wu, Chengqing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2022; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Concrete; Constitutive models; Dynamic loads; Empirical and semi-empirical formulae; Fiber reinforcement; High-velocity projectile impact (HVPI); Material properties; Mathematical models; Military engineering; Numerical simulations; Physical tests; Projectiles; State-of-the-art reviews; Ultra high performance concrete; Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC); Numerical simulations; Physical tests; High-velocity projectile impact (HVPI); Empirical and semi-empirical formulae; Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC)
• ISSN: 0734-743X; 1879-3509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2021.104080

•Multiaxial mechanical behaviour and rate sensitivity of UHPC are discussed.•Effects of fibre, coarse aggregate, binder and structural reinforcement on UHPC against HVPI are discussed.•UHPC models, modelling techniques and algorithms are summarized and commented.•Existing empirical formulae and semi-empirical formulae to predict DOP are examined for UHPC.•Discussions and recommendations for further research in this field are provided. Known for its high mechanical strength and ductility, ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) emerges as a promising material in civil and military constructions to resist hazardous loads such as high velocity projectile impact (HVPI). Due to its unique material properties, structures built with UHPC perform differently to its counterparts made of conventional concrete under HVPI, and thus the empirical and semi-empirical resistant functions for conventional concrete against HVPI require careful evaluation before application to UHPC structures. This study presents a comprehensive review of the research advances in thick UHPC targets to resist HVPI for projectiles at normal incidence. First, the static and dynamic material properties of UHPC are briefly introduced in comparison to conventional concrete. Second, based on physical tests, key aspects in UHPC design to resist HVPI are reviewed, which include fibre reinforcement, high strength coarse aggregate, alternative binder system as well as structural reinforcement and designs. Third, in a view of the development in material constitutive models under complex dynamic loads and computational techniques, numerical simulations of UHPC under HVPI are reviewed and discussed. Further, empirical and semi-empirical formulae to predict the depth of penetration (DOP) on conventional concrete are collected and evaluated on their suitability for UHPC.