Peridynamics simulation of failure behavior of engineering cementitious composites (ECC) under impact loading

Engineering cementitious composites (ECC) are widely used in concrete structures for resisting impact loads. This paper establishes a peridynamics (PD)-based model for impact crack propagation in ECC, incorporating a failure criterion considering the strain rate effect, to investigate the damage behavior of ECC under impact loading. Firstly, an improved prototype microelastic brittle material (PMB) model considering the strain softening stage is used to model the cementitious matrix of ECC, and the fibers are modeled as one-dimensional rod to establish a PD fully-discrete model of ECC. At the same time, an interface exponential friction attenuation model is introduced. Then, the effectiveness of the model and the PD impact contact algorithm incorporating the strain rate effect was validated through simulations of the four-point bending test on ECC rectangular plates and the drop hammer impact test on plain concrete beams. Finally, the effects of pre-cracks-to-span distance, fiber content, fiber aspect ratio, different strain rate, and impact velocity on the crack propagation and structural deflection of ECC beams under impact loading are investigated.