Performance Evaluation of UHPFRC Plates subjected to Low-velocity Impact Loading

Abstract

Abstract In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the behavior of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) plate specimens under impact loading analytically using the ANSYS V20.R2 explicit dynamics software. In this regard, UHPFRC plate specimens with sizes 500 × 500 × 50 mm were modeled and analyzed using a 5.25 kg impactor with a 500 mm drop height. The typical results of analytical investigations have been analyzed and discussed to study the behavior of UHPFRC plate specimens in light of the stress-strain behavior, deformation-time behavior, acceleration-time behavior, energy absorption capacity, failure characteristics, etc. The analytical results are compared with the experimental results for 4-side and 2-side simply supported (SS). It has been observed that experimental and analytical values are in good agreement regarding stress, strain, deformation, acceleration, energy absorption capacity, and failure characteristics. However, the variation in analytical and experimental values was because several pieces of equipment and accessories were used in the experimental investigation. Additionally, it has also been noticed that adding fibers reduces UHPFRC plates' deflection and acceleration while increasing the energy absorption capacity and stress and strain values for fiber content corresponding to 8%. However, increasing the deformation capacity of the plates by adding large quantities of fibers in the case of low-velocity impact is not very beneficial. The addition of MSF in UHPFC enhances the stiffness as well as strength of the composites. As the number of supported sides increased, the deflection and acceleration values decreased significantly.