Dynamic Mechanical Properties and Crack Propagation Characteristics of Carbon Fiber Bar Reinforced Concrete after Exposure to Elevated Temperatures
Abstract
The proposed research is based on experimental observations of impact air pressure and temperature influence on the mechanical properties and crack propagation of carbon fiber bar reinforced concrete and plain concrete. Dynamic compression experiment was conducted on both types of concrete using different impact air pressures (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 MPa) after subjecting them to high-temperatures with split Hopkinson pressure bar system, and combining the use of high-speed camera system to capture crack propagation process. The influence of carbon fiber bar, impact pressure and temperature in peak stress, dynamic increase factor (DIF), toughness, and fracture morphology were analyzed. The research shows that both types of concrete exhibited an intense strain rate effect on strength, with the sensitivity of this effect decreasing as temperature increased. A positive correlation was observed between the temperature growth factor and impact air pressure, whereas a negative correlation existed between strain rate growth factor and temperature. Moreover, the temperature growth factor was consistently lower than the strain rate growth factor. The carbon fiber bar not only merely improved toughness and compressive strength of the concrete material but also hindered crack propagation, thereby reducing the degree of damage and fracture.