Resistance of fibre concrete slabs to low velocity projectile impact

An investigation on fibre concrete slabs subjected to low velocity projectile impact was carried out to assess impact resistance. The main variables of the study were type of fibre and volume fraction of fibres. The types of fibres chosen were polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol and steel. The volume fraction of fibres examined were 0%, 1% and 2%. A total of 10 square slabs of size 1 m and 50 mm thickness were cast and tested. Impact was achieved by dropping projectile of mass 43 kg from a height of 4 m, by means of an instrumented impact test facility. Test results indicate that hooked-end steel fibre concrete slabs have better cracking and energy absorption characteristics than slabs reinforced with other fibre types. Slabs reinforced with polyvinyl alcohol fibres exhibited higher fracture energy values compared to slabs reinforced with polyolefin fibres.