Effect of Hybrid Fibers on the Mechanical Properties and Impact Behavior of Concrete Panels

Structures of high importance such as multi storied buildings, military structures, bunkers, pressure vessels and nuclear containments have been a target during intentional terrorist attacks, war or by accidental explosion. In this research, experimental investigations were conducted to find the mechanical properties as well as impact response behavior of square concrete targets of size 450 × 450 mm having an average target compressive strength of around 48 MPa. Impact force on concrete targets was applied by ogive nosed projectiles of two different masses. The effect of the hybridization of microfibers and macro fibers on the impact behavior of plain concrete and reinforced concrete targets as well as mechanical properties of the concretes were studied. Several concrete panels of three different thicknesses namely 100 mm, 80 mm and 60 mm were casted and tested for the present study. The test results showed that the hybrid fibers in the plain and reinforced concrete lead to lesser crater areas and reduce the damage in the back face by around 40% when compared to those panels having no fibers and reinforcements.