Behavior of high ductility cement composite beams under low impact

This paper describes part of a study that examines possible material compositions aiming at increasing and controlling the ductility of cementitious composities under dynamic loading. The work described herein focuses on the influence of adding micro or macro scale steel fibers to the cementitious composite mix on the hardened specimen's mechanical properties. Small beam specimens made of 14 types of mixes were tested under static and dynamic loads, where the low-velocity dynamic loading was generated in a free-fall hammer. Variables that were examined included compression strength, single and hybrid usage of different types of steel fibers and the fibers volume ratios. The main conclusions indicate enhanced mechanical properties of the hybrid HSC specimens under dynamic loading. The results show that an enhanced material behavior, and therefore also structural response, can be engineered by designing different fiber reinforced cement composite mixes with similar compressive strengths.