Experimental testing and 3D meso-scale numerical simulations of SCC subjected to high compression strain rates

Experimental and numerical investigations of three types of Self-compacting concrete (SCC) in Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) compression tests are performed. A detailed methodology for correctly and efficiently performing SHPB tests of SCC in the range of 68–236 s−1 is presented. Numerical simulations were performed using the developed 3D meso-scale model with mortar, the Interface transition zone (ITZ) and randomly generated aggregate spheres; these three parts were described using the Johnson-Holmquist (JHC) constitutive model. The results confirmed that the Dynamic increase factor (DIF) obtained from SHPB tests is due to the material’s property and the inertia effect. While lateral inertial confinement is found to be dependent on the strength of the concrete, its contribution is less significant at strain rates beyond 200 s−1. Finally, the DIF decreases as the compressive strength of concrete increases.