Flexural characteristics of functionally graded fiber-reinforced cementitious composite with polyvinyl alcohol fiber

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the flexural characteristics of functionally graded fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (FG-FRCC) concerning the fiber volume fraction (Vf) varying in layers and the layered effect in bending specimens. The FG-FRCC specimens, in which Vf increases from 0% in the compression zone to 2% in the tensile zone, are three-layered specimens using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) FRCC that are fabricated and tested by a four-point bending test. The maximum load of the FG-FRCC specimens exhibits almost twice that of homogeneous specimens, even when the average of the fiber volume fraction in the whole specimen is 1%. The result of the section analysis, in which the stress–strain models based on the bridging law (tensile stress–crack width relationship owned by the fibers) consider the fiber orientation effect, shows a good adaptability with the experiment result.