Study on dynamic mechanical properties of nickel-plated carbon fiber reinforced concrete

Abstract To enhance the mechanical properties of concrete under impact loading, this study prepared nickel-plated carbon fiber reinforced concrete (NCFC) by modifying carbon fibers with nickel plating to improve interfacial bonding with the cement-based matrix. Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) impact tests were conducted systematically. Results indicate that incorporating nickel-plated carbon fibers (NCF) significantly enhances concrete’s dynamic compressive strength, peak strain, and energy dissipation density, with a pronounced strain-rate strengthening effect. The most pronounced reinforcement occurs at a fiber volume fraction of 0.3%, where dynamic compressive strength and energy dissipation density increase by approximately 58.58% and 157.01%, respectively, compared to plain concrete. Nickel-plated carbon fibers effectively suppressed crack propagation and delayed failure by enhancing interfacial bonding and bridging crack resistance, significantly improving the dynamic deformation capacity and energy absorption performance of concrete. This study elucidates the micro-mechanism by which nickel-plated carbon fibers enhance concrete’s impact resistance, providing a basis for developing high-toughness protective engineering materials.