Mechanical Properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC)

Abstract

The mechanical properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) serve multiple purposes. The compressive strength and tensile stress-strain relation are fundamental characteristics of the material. The tensile strain capacity defines the tensile ductility of a given mix composition and processing/curing method. The crack pattern (crack spacing and crack width distribution) is a critically important indicator of durability of the material. Appropriate test methods must be used for proper material characterization. This is particularly important in light of the fact that tensile test is not commonly used for concrete material. The tensile and compressive properties can be used as representative material qualities of ECC. The flexural properties of ECC serve as a first indicator of structural performance, especially since beams are common structural elements. The simple test setup for flexural test (compared with that of tensile test) also makes it ideal for quality control of ECC when used in large quantities in field applications. This chapter covers the fundamental mechanical properties of ECC in tension, compression, and flexure. Other properties covered include shear, fatigue, and creep. Together, they provide the needed database for design of structures under complex loading, including high frequency fatigue, high strain rate, and sustained loading.