Reversed Cyclic Behavior of Carbon Nanofiber-Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of integrating carbon nanofibers (CNF) into concrete to enhance the mechanical properties and reversed cyclic behavior of framed shear walls, addressing the need for improved seismic performance and durability. Despite the known benefits of CNF in improving concrete properties and enabling structural health monitoring, its application in framed shear walls has been limited. Through the design and testing of nineteen CNFC formulations, this research established a constitutive relationship allowing the Cyclic Softened Membrane Model (CSMM) to be applied to CNFC. Finite element analysis of shear walls under reversed cyclic loading revealed notable improvements in shear force capacity and ductility when CNF was incorporated. These findings highlight the dual role of CNFC in advancing both material performance and structural resilience, offering a significant contribution to the fields of material science and earthquake engineering.