Dynamic Tensile Strength of Concrete: A Review of Mechanisms, Test Results, and Applications for Dam Safety

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the dynamic tensile behavior of concrete, focusing on its implications for seismic-resistant and impact-prone structures such as dams. The present work distinguishes itself in the following ways: providing the first comprehensive synthesis explicitly focused on large-aggregate dam concrete behavior across the seismic strain rate range (${10}^{-4}$ to ${10}^{-2}$ s${}^{-1}$), which is critical yet underrepresented in the existing literature; integrating recent experimental and numerical advances regarding moisture effects, load history, and cyclic loading—factors that are essential for dam safety assessments; and critically evaluating current design guidelines for concrete dams against state-of-the-art research to identify gaps between engineering practice and scientific evidence. Through the extensive synthesis of experimental data, numerical simulations, and existing guidelines, the study examines key factors influencing dynamic tensile strength, including strain rate effects, crack evolution, testing techniques, and material variables such as moisture content, load history, and aggregate size. Experimental results from spall tests, split Hopkinson pressure bar configurations, and cyclic loading protocols are analyzed, revealing dynamic increase factors ranging from 1.1 to over 12, depending on the strain rates, saturation levels, and preloading conditions. The roles of inertial effects, free water (via the Stefan effect), and microstructural heterogeneity in enhancing or diminishing tensile performance are critically evaluated. Numerical models, including finite element, discrete element, and peridynamic approaches, are discussed for their ability to simulate crack propagation, inertia-dominated responses, and moisture interactions. The review identifies and analyzes current design guidelines. Key conclusions emphasize the necessity of integrating moisture content, load history, and mesoscale heterogeneity into dynamic constitutive models, alongside standardized testing protocols to bridge gaps between laboratory data and real-world applications. The findings advocate for updated engineering guidelines that reflect recent advances in rate-dependent fracture mechanics and multi-scale modeling, ensuring safer and more resilient concrete infrastructure under extreme dynamic loads.