Assessment of fracture process in forta and polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete using experimental analysis and digital image correlation

Abstract

This paper aims to characterize the evolution of the fracture process and the cracking behavior in forta-ferro (FF) and polypropylene (PP) fiber-reinforced concrete under the uniaxial compressive loading using experimental analysis and digital image correlation (DIC) on the surface displacement. For this purpose, 6 mix designs, including two FF volume fractions of 0.10%, and 0.20% and three PP volume fractions of 0.20%, 0.30%, and 0.40%, in addition to a control mix were evaluated according to compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, toughness index, and stress–strain curves. The influence of fibers on the microstructural texture of specimens was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. Results show that FF fiber-reinforced concrete specimens demonstrated increased ductility and strength compared to PP fiber. DIC results revealed that the major crack and fracture appeared at the peak load of the control specimen due to brittleness and sudden gain of large lateral strain, while a gradual increase in micro-crack quantity at 75% of peak load was observed in the fiber specimens, which thenbegan to connect with each other up to the final fracture. The accuracy of the results supports DIC as a reliable alternative for the characterization of the fracture process in fiber-reinforced concrete.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

fiber-reinforced concrete / forta-ferro and polypropylene fiber / fracture process / cracking behavior / digital image correlation

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