Comparison of tensile behaviour of polypropylene, aramid and carbon fibre reinforced cementitious composite at high strain rate loading

Abstract This paper presents an experimental study on uniaxial mechanical properties of polypropylene, aramid and carbon micro-fibre reinforced high performance cementitious composite subjected to both static and high strain rate tensile loading. This cementitious composite is intended to be used as a matrix for slurry infiltrated fibre concrete, which is being developed to be used for elements and structures for blast, ballistic and other impact protection. Cylindrical specimens of 30 mm diameter and 15 mm thickness were subjected to the indirect tensile (Brazilian) test at loading rate about 5.10 -5 GPa.s -1 (quasi-static load regime) and 2.10 3 GPa.s -1 (high strain rate load regime). Specimens were tested using servo hydraulic press machine and 15 mm diameter Split Hopkinson pressure bar. Dynamic strength increase factor and fibre reinforcement factor have been studied versus both strain-rate and fibre type. Indirect tensile strength and post peak behaviour vary for specimens with different micro-fibre reinforcement, which allows to find the optimal reinforcement for high strain rate impacted concrete structures.