Effect of synthetic fibre addition on heat and ballistic resistance of steel fibre-reinforced RPC
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2026.66.0127Keywords:
RPC, reactive powder concrete, fibre, PET fibre, ballistic resistanceAbstract
The study investigates the effect of synthetic fibre addition on the heat and ballistic resistance of steel fibre-reinforced reactive powder concrete (RPC). A comprehensive experimental programme was conducted involving prismatic (40 mm × 40 mm × 160 mm) and cylindrical (150 mm in diameter, 40mm in height) specimens subjected to a range of elevated temperatures and ballistic impacts. Steel fibre-reinforced RPC specimens containing additional synthetic fibre reinforcement, namely polyethene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and aromatic polyamide, which varied in geometry, were cast. The specimens were subjected to elevated temperatures ranging from 200 °C to 800 °C (in 200 °C increments with dwell time of 2–6 hours), and their residual compressive and flexural strength under quasi-static loading was then evaluated. Ballistic resistance was evaluated through depth of penetration (DOP) tests, which involved the impact of 7.62 × 54R B32 armour-piercing incendiary (API) projectiles at a striking velocity of 850 ms−1. Differential efficiency factor (DEF), structural integrity, and impact crater dimensions were determined. The results show that the addition of PET and PVA fibres significantly improved the RPC’s heat resistance, with PET fibres providing the highest residual strength and integrity after prolonged high-temperature exposure, while aramid fibres did not improve the thermal performance. Both PET and PVA fibres also markedly reduced the ballistic damage area and maintained high ballistic resistance after heating. The findings highlight the potential of steel-synthetic fibre hybridisation (especially with PET fibres) to design advanced RPC materials capable of withstanding combined ballistic and thermal threats, making them suitable for critical infrastructure and protective structures in extreme multi-hazard environments.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Martina Drdlová, Petr Bibora, Ingrid Khongová, Michael Pánek, Nikola Šuleková
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