Blast-resistant characteristics of ultra-high strength concrete and reactive powder concrete

Recent advances in nanotechnology research have been applied to improve the durability, serviceability, and safety of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). Furthermore, improvements in the compressive strength of concrete have allowed concrete structural member size and self-weight to be significantly reduced, which has in turn resulted in cost reduction and structural aesthetic enhancement. Among many UHPCs currently available on the market, the most representative ones are ultra-high strength concrete (UHSC) and reactive powder concrete (RPC). Even though UHSC and RPC have compressive strengths of over 100 MPa, their safety has been questioned due to possible ultra-brittle failure behavior and unfavorable cost-to-performance efficiency. The blast-resistant capacities of UHSC and RPC were experimentally evaluated to determine the possibility of using UHSC and RPC in concrete structures susceptible to terrorist attacks or accidental impacts. Slump flow, compressive strength, split tensile strength, elastic modulus, and flexure strength tests were carried out. In addition, ANFO blast tests were performed on reinforced UHSC and RPC panels. Incidental and reflected pressures, as well as maximum and residual displacements and the strains of rebar and concrete were measured. Blast damage and failure modes of the reinforced panel specimens were recorded. Our results showed that UHSC and RPC have better blast explosion resistance than normal strength concrete. The study results are discussed in detail. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.