Development and experimental evaluation of novel blast-resistant concrete

Yi-Chun Lai , Ming-Hui Lee , Pin-Jhen Chen , How-Ji Chen

Abstract

This study develops a cost-effective, mass-producible blast-resistant concrete (BRC) that combines high dynamic performance with excellent workability with a low steel fiber content. To improve practical applicability, locally sourced river sand was used to partially replace quartz sand. The steel fiber volume fraction was limited to 1%, enabling high flowability suitable for ready-mixed concrete production while maintaining ultra-high compressive strength exceeding 180 MPa. A two-stage experimental program was conducted. First, river sand particle size distributions were optimized based on fresh properties and quasi-static mechanical performance. Second, the effects of steel fiber geometry—micro-straight (S), hooked (H), and wavy (W)—on compressive, flexural, and tensile behavior were systematically investigated under both quasi-static and high strain-rate load conditions, including impact tests and high-speed direct tensile tests. The results demonstrate that strain rate significantly enhances strength, stiffness, and energy absorption for all mixtures. Deformed fibers substantially improve postcracking behavior and dynamic resistance due to enhanced mechanical interlocking and fiber-matrix bonding. Compared with straight fibers, H- and W-type fibers exhibit higher dynamic peak strength, strain capacity, and toughness. Among them, W-type fibers show superior energy absorption and more stable post-peak behavior. Based on the experimental data, strain rate-dependent dynamic increase factor (DIF) models for compressive and tensile strengths were established, explicitly incorporating steel fiber type. These fiber-type-dependent DIF models constitute the main novelty of this study and provide practical input for blast-resistant structural design and numerical simulations.

Key Words

blast-resistant concrete; dynamic mechanical test; particle size distribution; river sand; steel fiber type

Address

Yi-Chun Lai — Department of Civil Engineering, Military Academy, Kaohsiung, 83059, Taiwan; Department of Civil Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402202, Taiwan
Ming-Hui Lee — Department of Civil Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, 912301, Taiwan
Pin-Jhen Chen — Department of Civil Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402202, Taiwan
How-Ji Chen — Department of Civil Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402202, Taiwan

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