The shear fracture of concrete under impact loading using end confined beams

An investigation of the shear fracture of plain and steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) under impact loading was carried out on both unconfined and confined beams. It was found that confinement played a significant role on the behaviour and properties of both plain and SFRC beams. A shear mode of failure could be obtained with increasing end confinement stresses. End confined concrete beams were stronger and tougher than unconfined ones, as indicated by the increase in both peak load and fracture energy. However, they were found to be less stress rate sensitive than unconfined concrete beams. This was due to the change in the failure mode from flexure to shear with sufficient end confinement. Using end confinement appears to be a promising method for the study of shear fracture in concrete.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]