Performance of Ductile FRCC under Cyclic Loads and Non-Linear FE Simulation

摘要

With the advent of strain hardening fiber reinforced cementitious composites (SHFRCC) the development of a new generation of structural systems that benefit from the inherent ductility of concrete in tension in order to reduce the amounts of transverse reinforcement (stirrups), shear strength, and tension-force development capacity to the main reinforcement is possible. In this study a number of tests are conducted to explore the behavior of SHFRCC materials under cyclic loads, simulating seismic effects. The experimental responses of two half-scale interior beam column connections subjected to reversed cyclic loading are compared; one of the connections was constructed with a cementitious matrix without fibers, and was detailed according with the Eurocode provisions for ductility class M (moderate, μ=3.5). The other connection was constructed with a SHFRCC mix; (2% by volume of PVA fibers was used to reinforce the matrix and the minimum amount of shear reinforcement allowed by Eurocode 2 for non-seismic detailing was used in the specimens). Several supporting experiments were also conducted to support analysis of the cyclic behavior (uniaxial tension, compression, splitting tests). The behavior of the members under reversed cyclic displacement is also simulated with advanced nonlinear Finite Element Analysis, with results that are correlated with the experimental observations. The SHFRCC specimen with minimum detailing showed improved performance and enormous ductility suggesting new possibilities to the seismic design of structures.