Shock wave propagation characteristics in C30 concrete under plate impact loading

Shock compression experiments were performed on C30 concrete by using the one-stage light-gas gun. The stress profiles at the different distances were measured by employing in-material manganin stress gauges. Based on the measured stress profiles, the shock wave attenuation characteristics in the C30 concrete samples were investigated. The shock stress peak took on transparent attenuation characters and the shock pressure attenuation process was divided into two phases. In phase 1, the reflected rarefaction wave did not catch up with shock wave and the slow attenuation of the shock pressure was attributed to the constitutive viscosity of concrete materials only. In phase 2, the quick attenuation of the shock pressure was caused by the sum of the constitutive viscosity, reflected rarefaction wave, edge rarefaction wave and geometrical expansion. On the other hand, the rise time of shock wave increased with the propagation distance, which was the other typical characteristic of shock pressure related to the constitutive viscosity of concrete materials.