Dynamic behaviour of cement mortars reinforced with glass and basalt fibres

In this paper, the dynamic behaviour of cement mortars reinforced with both glass and basalt fibres is studied. The influence of the addition of both types of fibre on energy absorption and tensile strength at high strain-rate was investigated, and the performance of the two types of fibre-reinforced mortar was compared. For this aim, basalt and glass fibres with same diameter and length were used. Static tests in compression, in tension and in bending were first performed. Dynamic tests by means of a Modified Hopkinson Bar were then carried out in order to investigate how glass and basalt fibres affected energy absorption and tensile strength of the fibre reinforced mortar at high strain-rate. The Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF) was finally evaluated. The experimental results show that DIF is not significantly affected by the addition of basalt and glass fibres, while energy absorption at high strain rate is significantly increased by the addition of glass fibres and only slightly increased by the addition of basalt fibres.