Title: Split-Hopkinson Pressure-Bar tests on Concrete and Mortar in Tension and Compression

Author(s): C. Allen Ross, P. Y. Thompson N, and J. W. Tedesco

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 86

Issue: 5

Appears on pages(s): 475-481

Keywords: compression tests; concretes; cracking (fracturing); dynamic loads; mortars (material); plain concrete; splitting tensile strength; strains; tensile strength; tension tests; Materials Research

DOI: 10.14359/2065

Date: 9/1/1989

Abstract:
Direct-tension, splitting-tensile, and direct-compression tests of mortar and concrete were performed at strain rates between 10 and 10ý per sec on a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). Quasi-static tests on the same kinds of specimens were performed using a standard materials testing machine. Square-notch and saddle-notch specimens were machined and tested in direct tension by cementing the specimens in the SHPB. Cylindrical specimens of mortar were tested in direct compression, and the same kind of specimen was tested as a splitting-tensile specimen by rotating it 90 deg and loading it along the plane of a diameter containing the longitudinal axis of the specimen. The same failure crack pattern was observed for the quasi-static and high strain-rate splitting-tensile tests. Dynamic increase factors (DIF) are defined as strength at high strain rates divided by strength at quasistatic strain rate. Typical DIF values are shown plotted versus load rate and strain rate. DIF of direct compression have been verified by other researchers; however, the tensile data, especially the splitting-cylinder data, have not been reported previously. Numerical calculations using the finite element method show that the static and dynamic stress distributions of the splitting-tensile tests are almost identical.