A Correction Methodology to Determine the Strain-Rate Effect on the Compressive Strength of Brittle Materials Based on SHPB Testing

Abstract

Strain-rate effect on the compressive strength of brittle materials is normally characterized using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) technique. It has been found recently that the transition strain-rate observed in SHPB tests on concrete-like and other brittle materials represents the start of significant influence of lateral confinement effect, which has been widely misinterpreted as real strain-rate effect. This paper proposes a correction methodology to determine the real strain-rate effect for brittle materials in actual SHPB tests. The proposed method is verified using hybrid numerical simulations and experimental data. A complete procedure to conduct the correction is recommended.