Strain rate effect on the mechanical behavior of basalt: Observations from static and dynamic tests

Basalt rock is often used as a building material and in architectural design of building by constructing thin veneer and facade. Thus, dynamic characterization of basalt rock is of utmost importance in blast resistant structural design. This paper discusses static and dynamic, compressive and tensile mechanical behavior of Deccan Basalt obtained from Deccan plateau, India. The dynamic tests have been performed at strain rates ranging from 200 to 1600/s using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) with certain modifications in a conventional setup. The present test results are compared with other available data from the literature on igneous rocks to understand the influence of loading rate on Deccan Basalt in terms of the peak failure stress, modulus of elasticity, deformation modulus, and strain energy. An empirical correlation on dynamic increase factor (DIF) for the compressive and tensile strength of Basalt is proposed by comparing present experimental results with all other available data from the literature on Basalt.