Mechanical response of a fibre reinforced earthen material under static and impact loadings

Abstract

Abstract. This study examines the improvements provided by the insertion of hemp fibres with different weight fractions and lengths in an earthen material. The structural response of the materials was investigated by means of static and impact bending tests carried out on notched samples. The main focus of the analyses was in the characterization of the structural properties of the materials in terms of fracture resistance, post-cracking performance and energy absorption capability. The results of the study show that hemp fibres improve significantly the mechanical and fracture properties of the earthen material under both static and dynamic bending. It was also found that the structural properties of unreinforced and reinforced earthen materials are highly sensitive to the stress-rate, with higher strength and fracture resistance under impact loading than under static loading.

Dynamic behaviour of an earthen material under different impact loading conditions

“…Then, the influence of fibres to improve the mechanical behaviour of earthen construction materials has shown to need specific investigations. In particular, fibres favourably affect also the impact behaviour of the earthen material [23][24][25]. In the literature there are some studies on the dynamic behaviour of adobe targets penetrated by projectiles [26][27].…”

“…Static tests were also carried out, and the results compared with those of dynamic tests. Tensile impact tests were carried out on cylindrical specimens with diameter 20 mm and length 20 mm by using a modified Hopkinson bar device [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] Three-point bending impact tests on notched samples were carried out on prismatic samples by using an instrumented dropweight machine [23][24].…”