Experimental and numerical investigations of hybrid-fibre engineered cementitious composite panels under contact explosions

In this study, the blast response of hybrid-fibre engineered cementitious composite (HFECC) panels is experimentally and numerically evaluated. For blast testing, HFECC and normal reinforced concrete (NRC) panels were tested under contact explosions generated by Plastic Explosive 4 (PE4) on a demolition range. The crater diameter, spalling diameter and fragment size were measured and compared. An effective finite element model is also developed to reproduce the responses of the HFECC and NRC panels under blast loads. The validated model is then used to explore the blast resistance of a reinforced HFECC panel. The effect of HFECC ductility on the blast resistance of the reinforced HFECC panel is also explored. This study highlights the importance of matrix ductility on the blast resistance of HFECC.