Dynamic splitting performance and energy dissipation of steel fiber reinforced concrete

• Quasi-static and dynamic splitting tests on Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) were conducted. • The impacts of matrix strength, steel fiber content, and strain rate on SFRC's splitting tensile strength and energy dissipation were studied. • Dynamic splitting tensile strength growth factor (DIF) and the logarithm of strain rate exhibit an approximately bilinear relationship. • Partially replacing cement with silica fume enhances both the tensile and compressive performance of SFRC. Through quasi-static and dynamic splitting tensile tests, the mechanical response characteristics of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) under varying strain rates, matrix strengths, and fiber contents were investigated. The analysis focused on the typical failure modes, splitting tensile strength, and energy dissipation behavior of specimens under different parameters. The results indicate that both loading strain rate and steel fiber content significantly influence the macroscopic failure morphology of SFRC. The dynamic splitting tensile strength exceeds its static counterpart, with their ratio (defined as the Dynamic Splitting Tensile Strength Increase Factor, DIF) exhibiting a bilinear relationship with the logarithm of strain rate. The enhancement effect of steel fibers on the splitting tensile strength is primarily manifested under static loading, while the influence of concrete matrix strength on splitting tensile strength is not significant. In terms of energy dissipation in dynamic splitting tests, the partial replacement of cement with silica fume not only effectively improves the tensile resistance of steel fibers but also maximizes their tensile properties.