High-velocity impact experiment of concrete panels reinforced with crimped wire mesh and steel fibers

This experimental research aims to evaluate the impact resistance of the crimped wire mesh- and steel fiber-reinforced concrete panels that receive the impact load of the high-velocity projectile. The concrete panel's impact resistance was evaluated by using variables such as the steel fiber volume fraction, presence of crimped wire-mesh reinforcement, thickness of panel, impact velocity, and the size of aggregates. The impact resistance was evaluated by using the nondimensional impact factor where various variables could be integrated. Although the improvement of the impact resistance particularly regarding its penetration depth caused by the steel fiber mix was insufficient, there was a visible effect of improvement in impact resistance for scabbing and perforation. This occurred as the steel fiber had a bridging effect within the concrete matrix. Moreover, when reinforced with crimped wire mesh, the area loss of the front and rare face decreased. While it was effective for perforation and scabbing, it was insufficient for improving the resistance of penetration. Meanwhile, there were some cases where a splitting bond failure occurred along the cover of the rear face in a few specimens. The outcomes suggest that if steel fibers are mixed with the wire mesh-reinforced concrete panels, this, in turn, increases the splitting bond strength based on a bridging effect, thereby preventing a splitting bond failure.