Appraisal of hybrid fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composite

Abstract

Mortar based engineered cementitious composite (ECC) demonstrate strain hardening behaviour with multiple micro-cracks under tension. The distinctive behaviour of ECC, makes it ductile as compared to brittle nature of conventional concrete. Ductile nature of ECC, makes it applicable in seismic resistant, repairing and retrofitting areas and blast resistant structural elements. In the present investigation, two types of polymer fibers (i.e. polyester (PET) fiber and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber) have been used in hybridization with different percentages (2+0), (2+0.5), (1.75+0.5), (1.5+0.5) for making ECC. Also fly ash, 55% of the total cementitious material, has been used for making sustainable concrete. The compressive, flexural and tensile tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of hybrid fiber reinforced cementitious matrix. The test results revealed that PET fiber and PVA fiber in combination enhanced the strength properties of ECC by bridging effect of hybrid fibers.