Behavior of cementitious materials for high-strain rate conditions

Abstract
An experimental study aimed at characterization of the combined effects of confinement and high strain rate on the deformation and strength of cementitious materials was conducted. Quasi-static triaxial compression tests for confining pressures ranging from 0 to 6.89 MPa were performed. Dynamic tests for strain rates in the range 40/s to 160/s, under unconfined and confined conditions, were conducted using a split Hopkinson pressure bar. A decrease in strain rate sensitivity with increasing confining pressure was observed. The materials susceptibility to damage under shear loading appears to be more a function of confinement than loading rate. Also, though the uniform stress requirements were not met under uniaxial conditions, minimal levels of confinement yielded valid constitutive property data over the majority of the duration of the experiments