BEHAVIOUR OF STEEL FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE UNDER BLAST LOAD

Abstract

Recent studies show that adding steel fiber into concrete will enhance tensile capacity especially in high strain-rate loading condition. This thesis shows the results from experiments and finite element analysis simulations for the responses of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) panels and normal reinforced concrete (NRC) panels subjected to blast loading. Two panels per fiber weight ratio of 0 (concrete without fiber), 30, and 60 kg per cubic meter were casted. Total of 6 panels were casted with controlled cementitious matrix strength within a range of 55-60MPa. The steel fiber used in this study is hook-type fiber with an aspect ratio of 80 which, from past study, found to have a good performance for impact loading. The concrete panels were subjected to blast load using TNT explosive weighing 1lb and 2 lb all at a fix stand-off distance of 0.5 meter. Deflection and acceleration responses were measured from the experiment. Simulation models were developed via finite element analysis program "ABAQUS". The experiment results showed that the SFRC panels possesses better resistance against blast loading than NRC panels.The analysis models were also proven to have good accuracy in predicting panels' responses.