The dynamic mechanical behavior of C30 concrete is investigated in one-dimensional stress state under a wide range of strain rates from 10-4 s-1–102 s-1 by using an improved SHPB technique and Instron Servo-hydraulic testing system. According to Johnson-Cook¢s strength model,the strain rate coefficient and related material constants of C30 concrete subjected to large strains,high strain rates and high pressures are determined experimentally. From a large number of experimental results for C30 concrete,it reveals that the damage evolution is a rate-dependent process,which can be formulated to a rate-dependent damage evolution law in a simple form for engineering application. The corresponding dynamic coefficients of C30 concrete are also obtained from impact experimental results. Because the parameter is less than 1,the damage evolution corresponds to an impact toughening process that coincides well with the dynamic experimental results for C30 concrete.