Dynamic strengths and toughness of an ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete

The results of dynamic compression, splitting and notched three-point bend tests of the ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete, known under the trade name CARDIFRC, are presented. The tests have been performed using the Kolsky method and its modifications for dynamic splitting and notched three-point bend testing. The mechanical data (strength, time and energy characteristics) of this material at high strain rates have been obtained. It is shown that these characteristics are sensitive both to the strain rate and to the stress rate. A unified interpretation of these rate effects based on the structural-temporal approach is presented. It is shown that the time dependence of the dynamic compressive and split tensile strengths and of the dynamic toughness of CARDIFRC can be predicted by the incubation time criterion. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.