Response of Functionally Graded Preplaced Aggregate Fibrous Concrete with Superior Impact Strength

Abstract

This research examines the modified drop-mass impact performance on functionally graded preplaced aggregate fibrous concrete (FPAFC) against repeated low-velocity impacts. Three-layered FPAFCs were prepared with the outer layers reinforced with steel and polypropylene fibers to evaluate the impact resistance. For comparison, both one- and two-layered concretes were cast simultaneously. The modified version of the impact test was suggested to the ACI 544 drop-mass impact test to decrease the scattered test data. The modification was a replacement of the steel ball with a steel bar to apply a line impact instead of the single-point impact. This modification distributes the impact energy over a broader area and reduces the scattering of results. The study parameters for the tests were impact numbers, which cause first cracking and failure; ductility index; and mode of failure. In addition, three methods of the two-parameter Weibull distribution were used to examine the dispersed test results, which were presented in terms of reliability. Results revealed that the specimens comprising 3.6% steel fibers at the top layer and no fiber at the middle layer exhibited the highest percentage improvements of 633% and 2732% recorded for the cracking and failure impact number, respectively. The percentage difference in impact strength results between these two methods ranged from −14% to 75% for cracking impact number and from 6.8% to 57.2% for failure impact number. The coefficient of variation value calculated from the modified impact test was reduced and ranged from 20.3% to 56.1% for cracking impact number and from 15.2% to 65.3% for failure impact number, compared with the same mixtures from the ACI 544 test method. This phenomenon indicates that the modified impact test delivered a lower scattering of results by introducing a line of impact using a steel bar rather than a single-point impact.