Effect of Silica Fume in Concrete on Mechanical Properties and Dynamic Behaviors under Impact Loading

The effect of silica fume (SF) in concrete on mechanical properties and dynamic behaviors was experimentally studied by split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) device with pulse shaping technique. Three series of concrete with 0, 12%, and 16% SF as a cement replacement by weight were produced firstly. Then the experimental procedure for dynamic tests of concrete specimens with SF under a high loading rate was presented. Considering the mechanical performance and behaviors of the concrete mixtures, those tests were conducted under five different impact velocities. The experimental results clearly show concrete with different levels of SF is a strain-rate sensitive material. The tensile strength under impact loading of the tested specimens was generally improved with the increasing content of SF levels in concrete. Additionally, the tensile strength under impact loading of the concrete enhances with the increase of the strain rates. Finally, failure modes, dynamic tensile strength, dynamic increase factor (DIF), and critical strain are discussed and analyzed. These investigations are useful to improve the understanding of the effect of SF in concrete and guide the design of concrete structures.