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Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 80 – 87

International Conference on Analytical Models and New Concepts in Concrete and Masonry
Structures AMCM’2017

Projectile impact resistance of UHPFRC structures for various

methods of fresh mixture placement
Romana Lovichováa*, Michal Máraa, JindĜich FornĤseka
a
Experimental Centre, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Thákurova 7, 16629, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

This paper present results of an experimental investigation of the projectile impact resistance of ultra-high-performance fibre-
reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) slabs. The paper also investigates transparent viscous liquid, based on the ultrasound gel, as an
effective suitable tool to replace fresh mixture of ultra-high-performance concrete. The description of the viscous behaviour of
both materials and optimisation of the ultrasound gel is shown. An arrangement of fibres in the UHPFRC mixture was
demonstrated by the ultrasound gel with an addition of steel fibres. The influence of horizontal and vertical casting of thin slabs
against penetration by a projectile was tested and described. The resistance to the penetration was investigated using full-metal
jacket projectile with soft-lead core. The results indicated various penetration depths and crater diameters in the target specimens
for both methods of casting. Various methods of casting resulted in various arrangement of fibres for both horizontally and
vertically casted slabs. However, the protective capacity was guaranteed for both placement methods. The desired outcome was
determination of the UHPFRC mechanical properties and projectile impact resistance, depending on the orientation of fibres
which depended on the method of placement of the fresh mixture into the formwork. The direction of mixture placement into the
formworks had a significant impact on achieved mechanical properties of the hardened concrete. Based on the present findings it
was found that slabs from ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete casted horizontally appear to be more efficient in
protection against projectile impact.
©2017
© 2017TheTheAuthors.
Authors. Published
Published by Elsevier
by Elsevier Ltd.is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
Ltd. This
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Analytical Models and New
Peer-review
Concepts inunder responsibility
Concrete of the scientific
and Masonry committee of the International Conference on Analytical Models and New Concepts in
Structures.
Concrete and Masonry Structures
Keywords: UHPFRC; Mixture placement; Fibre orientation; Projectile Impact; Penetration Depth.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +420 723 276 071.

E-mail address: romana.lovichova@fsv.cvut.cz

1877-7058 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Analytical Models and New Concepts in Concrete and
Masonry Structures
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2017.06.189
 Romana Lovichová et al. / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 80 – 87 81

1. Introduction

First aim of this research is to effectively replace concrete fresh mixture within some uneasily observable
experiments. It relates with finding a way to simply imitate an expensive X-ray analysis of fiber reinforced samples
and verification if there is influence of pouring the containing steel fibers into the formwork [1]. Second and the
main aim of the research is to compare two various methods of pouring a formwork and an influence of fiber
arrangement on the resistance against an ammunition penetration. The present situation in the world is causing a
higher demand for protective structures to feel safe. The fundamental goal of protective construction is to improve
the probability of survival of people and other contents in given facility for a given threat. It is important to realize
that all protective buildings are the basic layer of defense against a threat and that other protective measure would
failed if the threat could come through into a facility. The fiber orientation in cement composites is investigated for
several decades. Based on the actual protective abilities, current findings and cost consideration appears to be
structural precast elements made of the UHPFRC an efficient protection against projectile impact [2, 3]. This paper
is innovative in combination of researches dealing with fiber orientation in UHPFRC, influence of casting method
and projectile impact resistance of UHPFRC samples.

2. Material and testing samples

2.1. UHPFRC

Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) containing fine-grained aggregate up to fraction
1 mm was used for our experiments. The mixture was developed and created by Experimental center of the Czech
Technical University in Prague and tested during previous laboratory experiments using standard procedures [4, 5].
The UHPFRC with fiber content 1.5 % in mixture volume was used. The samples were de-molded after 24 hours
and placed into a water bath where they were for 7 or 28 days. Average results of obtained mechanical properties
(such as flexural strength fb and compressive strength fc) in 7 and 28 days after casting of mixture are shown in
Table 1. The flexural strength was tested by three point bending test on prisms 40×40×160 mm. The compressive
strength was tested on the one part of specimen left over the three point bending test, in a press with dimensions of
contact area captions40×40 mm.

Table 1. Flexural and compressive strength of used mixture.

fb [MPa] fc [MPa] Amount of samples
7 days 13.8 108.3 12
28 days 14.2 122.0 12

2.2. Ultrasound gel

An aqueous solution of ultrasound gel was prepared according to this Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC)
mixture. The ultrasound gel is commonly used for medical purposes. The materials are similar in some
characteristics and different in others. The fresh concrete and an ultrasound gel are both viscous and thixotropic. The
created ultrasound gel solution differ in its transparent look, which was our intention.
The optimal consistency of the ultrasound gel solution was found previously with the aid of testing methods. The
flow table test was selected as a method for comparison of consistency and workability of fresh concrete mixture
and ultrasound gel solution, the rotational viscometer was used for measuring of dynamic viscosity of the both
materials. Three tests with a fresh UHPC mixture (see Fig.) was performed by flow table test at first. Practically all
of them with the same result, the measured diameters of the spillage circles were 16 cm. The optimisation of
ultrasound gel followed. It included testing of pure ultrasound gel at first, after the first flow table tests with a pure
gel was clear that it is too dense and addition of water was necessary. Therefore doses of water was added, each
futher test was performed with the addition of a 10 g of water until the diameter of spillage for ultrasound gel
82 Romana Lovichová et al. / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 80 – 87

solution correspond with the diameter for the fresh mixture of UHPC. Once the final ratio of ultrasound gel and
water was found, two more control measurements with a modified ultrasound gel solution followed. The final ratio
of the ultrasound gel and water was modified to 1:0.566. A rotational viscometer Brookfield DV-II+Pro was
selected for measurement of dynamic viscosity (see Fig. 2). The viscometer is based on the principle of rotation of
the spindle immersed in the sample with the aid of a calibrated spring. A spindle “RV05” from a basic set of
spindles was recommended by the producer and utilized for measurement. Rheocalc software was used during the
testing for data acquisition and analysis. The dynamic viscosity of the fresh mixture of concrete (FMC) decreases
from 300 Pa·s to 10 Pa·s with increasing speed of rotation per minute from 0.5 to 25 and for the ultrasound gel
solution (UGS) it was from 400 Pa·s to 10 Pa·s with increasing speed of rotation per minute from 0.5 to 35. These
results give a good confidence to use the ultrasound gel solution in the upcoming experiments.
Measured data from these tests were successively applied in the optimization of a transparent gel and its further
use when the gel with addition of steel fibers was poured into a special formwork. [6].

a b

Fig. 1 Investigated materials after flow table test

(a) fresh mixture of ultra-high performance concrete (FMC); (b) ultrasound gel solution (UGS).

Fig. 2 The measurement of dynamic viscosity with rotational viscometer Brookfield DV-II+Pro. The ultrasound gel solution (UGS 1-3) and the
fresh mixture of concrete (FMC 1-3), depending on the number of spindle revolutions per minute.

2.3. Pouring of mixtures

Previously tested ultrasound gel mixture with addition of steel fibers was poured into the two kinds of
 Romana Lovichová et al. / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 80 – 87 83

dimensionally identical formwork in same way like UHPFRC mixture. Only difference was material of formwork,
the one for concrete mixture was made from steel and the other for ultrasound gel has to be transparent as is visible
on Fig. 3.
Eight concrete slab samples were produced in this way of pouring - four vertically casted and four horizontally
casted. Dimensions of both groups of specimen after removal of steel formwork were 300×400×50 mm.

a b

Fig. 3 Process of pouring the formwork with ultrasound gel mixture with fibers
(a) vertical formwork is filled; (b) horizontal formwork is filled.

The ultrasound gel was used for a better visual image of fiber arrangement. So, the ultrasound gel mixture with
fibers in formwork was observed as “a transparent concrete samples“ to compare the results (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5).

a b

Fig. 4 View of the arrangement of the ultrasound gel mixture with fibers in the transparent vertical formwork
(a) front view; (b) side view.

Fig. 5 View of the arrangement of the ultrasound gel mixture with fibers in the transparent horizontal formwork
(a) front and side view

3. Experimental program

Experiments of concrete penetration resistance was performed on the eight slabs made from UHPFRC with
dimensions 300×400 mm and thickness of 50 mm. Each specimen was placed into the special mount with
84 Romana Lovichová et al. / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 80 – 87

simulation of point supports by two screws in each corner (see Fig. 6). Projectile was fired from the distance 20 m to
center of specimen (see Fig. 8). Proposed types of projectiles were 7.62×39 FMJ with lead core in all cases (see Fig.
7Fig). The appointed projectile has ogival nose, diameter of 7.92 mm, mass of 8.04 g and initial energy 2030 J [7,8].

Fig. 6 Placement of the slab with crater Fig. 7 Munition 7.62×39 FMJ with a lead core used for experiment
after the impact

Fig. 8 Schema of the applied shooting system

The evaluation was carried out by observing the shape of the crater and measuring the volume and depth of the
crater. The measurement was performed using a line laser scanner composed of an aluminum frame and compact
laser scanner optoNCDT 1302 from Micro – Epsilon Company (see Fig. 9).
Measuring range of the scanner is distance between 20 – 200 mm from a specimen. Maximal resolution is
calculated by value 0.02 % of the measuring range. Two perpendicular sections passing through the center of the
formed craters were recorded for each slab. Each slab had at least one crater (at the front side) where the bullet
entered. But scan was executed from both sides regardless of whether a crater was created also on the back side or
not or if there was a different minor violation (see below). Volumes of craters and depth of penetration were
calculated from the profile sections. Some of them are shown on Fig. 10, Fig. 12 and Fig. 14.
Subsequently, the three basic modes of violation were detected. In the first case, approximately conical shape
crater without scabbing on the back side was created after projectile impact. So, the slab had a sufficient resistance
in this case and according to EN 1523 [9] the experiment can be classified as successful (see Fig. 10 and Fig. 11).
When there is no perforation of the tested specimen but there is a violence with missing fragments on the back
side or a perforation of the control witness foil behind slab by splinters, the test result shall be classified as "S" (with
splinters). The test result shall be classified as successful but with a comment ("S") because these fragments
(splinters) from the back side can be dangerous for people and other contents hidden behind the protective slab (see
Fig. 12 and Fig. 13). This European standard and the underlying standard EN 1522 [10] determine according to
individual classes (labeled FB 1-7) conditions for the impenetrable or resistance to projectiles and fragments. A
mandatory procedure for preparing and testing samples and subsequent evaluation of the results can be also found in
European Standard EN 1523 [9].
The test is evaluated as unsuccessful if there is penetration of the whole sample after the shooting or if there is
bullet hole in the slab caused by any part of the fired projectile or a hole created directly through the sample (see
Fig. 14 and Fig. 15), even if the opening portion is closed again (see EN 1523).
The measuring laser was out of its scope if penetration passed completely through the slab. Therefore, these
recorded data include sizeable leap that creates a straight line. The depth of penetration in the created crater cannot
 Romana Lovichová et al. / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 80 – 87 85

be measured in this case and it corresponds to the thickness of the sample.

Fig. 9 Compact line laser scanner optoNCDT 1302 with an aluminum frame Kuroda and measured UHPFRC sample.

Fig. 10 Example of the profile with created crater on the front side in Fig. 11 Photo of the vertically poured slab with a created crater on
the vertically poured slab the front side caused by projectile 7.62×39 FMJ with lead core

Fig. 12 Example of the profile with created crater on the in the Fig. 13 Photo of the horizontally poured slab with a created crater
horizontally poured slab on the both sides caused by projectile 7.62×39 FMJ with lead core
86 Romana Lovichová et al. / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 80 – 87

Fig. 14 Example of the profile with a violence on the both sides where Fig. 15 Photo of the vertically poured slab with a connected
a hole passes through the thickness of the vertically poured slab created craters on the front and back side after being hit by a
projectile 7.62×39 FMJ with lead core

4. Comparison and Results

The measured data in graphs (Fig. 16 and Fig. 17) show a comparison between vertically and horizontally
concreted slabs. There can be seen that the craters in horizontally concreted slabs achieved on average 1505 mm3
higher values of volume than the craters in slabs poured into the vertical formwork. This greater amount of lost
material volume indicates a higher amount of consumed energy. The energy that the projectile brought into the
specimen was consumed by breaking the material instead of penetration of the projectile through the slab.
Conversely, volumes of craters in vertical concreted slabs achieved lower values and the projectile can penetrate
through the entire slab in some cases. The average value of the volume of the crater was 16314 mm3 with standard
deviation 448 mm3 for the vertically casted slabs. The average volume of horizontally casted slabs were 17819 mm3
and standard deviation 775 mm3 (see Tab. and Fig. 16). The average depth of the crater was 23.41 mm and standard
deviation 1.55 mm for the vertical slabs. And the average crater depth of horizontal slabs was 22.28 mm3 with
standard deviation 0.19 mm (see Tab. and Fig. 17). The results are inconsistent because of the stability of concrete
mixture, which we can be interpreted by segregation of aggregates.

Tab. 2 Average volume of the crater of vertically and horizontally casted slabs

Vertically casted [mm3] Horizontally casted [mm3]

Average crater volume 16314 17819

Standard deviation 448 775

Tab. 3 Average depth of the crater of vertically and horizontally casted slabs

Vertically casted [mm] Horizontally casted [mm]

Average crater depth 23.41 22.28

Standard deviation 1.55 0.19
 Romana Lovichová et al. / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 80 – 87 87

35 Vertically casted 19000 Vertically casted 18665

Horizontally casted 18508
Horizontally casted

Volume ot the entrance crater

18500
Depth ot the entrance crater [mm]

30 17835
25.51 22.11 18000
24.09 22.56
25 22.68
21.36 22.36 22.09 17500 16991

[mm3]
20 17000 16533
16500 16270
15 15864 15868
16000
10 15500
15000
5
14500
0 14000

Fig. 16 Comparison of the average crater depth of vertically and Fig. 17 Comparison of the average crater volume of vertically and
horizontally casted slabs horizontally casted slabs

5. Conclusion

The optimal consistency of the ultrasound gel solution as “a transparent concrete mixture” was found with the aid
of the flow table test. The final ratio of the gel and water was modified to 1:0,566. The dynamic viscosity of the
materials was measured on the rotational viscometer and the measured values confirm comparable viscosity of
tested materials. The fibers are oriented perpendicular to the direction of pouring mixture into the formwork. The
orientation of the fibers is also affected by walls of formwork especially when the width of formwork is smaller. The
fibers are largely oriented perpendicular to the bullet in vertically casted slabs and part of fibers are placed in the
direction of the shoot. Therefore, less amount of lost material volume indicates a smaller amount of consumed
energy. Some of these slabs are penetrated through the whole thickness. The vast majority fibers are oriented
perpendicular to the bullet in the horizontally casted slabs. Thereby, this type of casting has higher resistance against
to penetration.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Grant Agency of the Czech Technical
University in Prague, the grant No. SGS16/064/OHK1/1T/11.

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