Modeling shock loading behavior of concrete

In order to tackle behavior of individual components in concrete cells unde r shock loading, a multi-part model for concrete is presented, wherein mort ar and aggregate are assumed to be in mechanical equilibrium and compressed or released isentropically. Computational simulations of plate shock exper iments using the multi-part model for concrete are performed. Computational velocity histories of the free surface of the target are compared with exp erimental results. Nonlocal response of the multi-part model for concrete t o uniform shock loading is presented. The irregular aggregate distribution in actual concrete is replaced by a distribution of single-sized equally se parate aggregates and the radius of influence surrounding each aggregate is given. The phenomena accompanied by the passage of a spherical shock wave through the mortar and aggregate are discussed. It is shown that Rayleigh-T aylor instability would cause separation of mortar and aggregate seriously for concrete with porous mortar at low initial density. It is shown that th e behavior of the interface between mortar and aggregate under shock loadin g is captured qualitatively by the multi-part model for a simulated concret e cell. The multi-part model presented in this paper can be expected to num erically simulate shock loading behavior of concrete. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.