Dynamic splitting-tensile strength and energy dissipation property of EPS concrete

Dynamic splitting tests were carried out by using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) for the expanded polystyrene (EPS) concrete with the different volume fractions of EPS. An empirical formula was proposed to describe the relationship between the splitting strength and the stress rate of the EPS concrete. And the proposed empirical formula can be suitable for both static and dynamic stress rates. Based on the experimental results，the parameters for the formula were fitted. The influences of the volume fraction and the bead size of EPS on the splitting strength and the dynamic increase factor of the EPS concrete were analyzed. The experimental results show that carbon fibers have obvious reinforcing effect on dynamic splitting strength，especially for the concretes with the small bead sizes of EPS. The effects of the stress rates on the dissipated energies of the specimens were discussed. It can be found that the dissipated energies of the specimens increase with the increase of the stress rates in the case of increasing the EPS volume fractions in the concrete specimens. So the EPS beads can toughen the concrete specimens and improve their energyabsorbing performances.