EFFECT OF THE TEST SET-UP AND CURING CONDITIONS ON FRACTURE BEHAVIOR OF STRAIN HARDENING CEMENT-BASED COMPOSITES (SHCC)

Abstract

This paper addresses the group of Strain Hardening Cement-based Composites (SHCC), which possesses an ultimate strain of approx. 5 % due to the bridging of fine multiple cracks by short, well distributed fibres. An extensive mechanical testing program on an ultra-ductile concrete is presented and conclusions with regard to an appropriate mechanical testing procedure for such cement-based composites are eventually drawn.