An experimental method for dynamic tensile testing of concrete by spalling

• Published in: International journal of impact engineering Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. 387 - 409
• Main Authors: Klepaczko, J.R., Brara, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Deformation, plasticity, and creep; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Physics; Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure and properties; Compression; Dispersion (wave); High strain; Dynamic testing; Ruptures; Projectiles; Compressive testing; Tensile tests; Computerized simulation; Impact tests; Experimental study; Traction; Failures; Dynamic method; Beam(mechanics); Penetration ballistics; Concretes; Wave transmission; Hopkinson bar; Materials properties; Scaling; Strain rate
• DOI: 10.1016/S0734-743X(00)00050-6
• ISSN: 0734-743X

A new application of the spalling phenomenon in long specimens is reported in this paper. The new experimental technique is based on an experimental setup which consists of an air launcher of cylindrical projectiles with a Hopkinson bar as a measuring tool and a relatively long concrete specimen in contact with the bar. The incident compression wave transmitted by the Hopkinson bar into the specimen is reflected as a tensile wave causing spalling. Although such configurations have been reported in the past, the main advantage of the present approach lies in the application of the detailed analysis, based on the wave mechanics with dispersion, to extract the specimen behaviour. Such an approach leads to an exact estimation of the local failure stress in tension at high strain rates, even above 100 s −1. This paper demonstrates, using two series of tests on concrete, that this experimental setup can cover one decimal order of strain rates, from ∼10 to ∼120 s −1. The tests performed at high strain rates on wet and dry concrete have indicated that the tensile strength is substantially influenced by the loading rate or strain rate. The absolute value of the failure stress for wet and dry concrete is almost the same for a particular strain rate, which does not occur when subject to low strain rates in tension or compression. A brief discussion is offered on a high rate sensitivity of concrete strength in tension at high strain rates.