Investigation of low-velocity impact behaviors of foamed concrete material

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is a lightweight cellular building material and can be applied as sacrificial claddings in protective structures to absorb impact energy. Low-velocity impact tests were performed to reveal the strain-rate effect and specific energy absorption (SEA) of the AACs. Three damage patterns, including shear failure, splitting failure, and compressive failure were revealed. Normal AAC cylinders were crushed at shear failure and splitting failure successively with increased impact speed. Crushed at shear failure mode, the AACs have greater dynamic strength, which increases with the impact velocity. Short AAC cylinders are crushed at compressive failure mode and dissipate more impact energies. Through the experiments, strain rate sensitivity of the dynamic strength is revealed and it is concluded that only compressive mode can make full use of the energy absorbing ability of the AAC.