Development and Mechanical Performance of Fire-Resistive Engineered Cementitious Composites

Abstract

A special material, fire-resistive engineered cementitious composite (FR-ECC), is introduced as a new kind of fire insulation. This paper presents the production process of FR-ECC, including the mix proportions, mixing, and curing. Chopped Chinese polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber without surface treatment was used as reinforcement for the FR-ECC, greatly reducing the cost. A series of experimental studies were carried out on the physical and mechanical properties of the FR-ECCs with three different fiber volume fractions. The test results indicated that all the tested FR-ECCs exhibited multicracking and strain hardening under tension. The strain to the 80% peak tensile strength reached 1.96%, 2.82%, and 2.88%, and the strain to the 80% peak compressive strength reached 8.53%, 10.87%, and 12.08%. The mechanism by which the untreated PVA fiber with comparatively low strength was able to produce ECC is discussed based on the results of matrix toughness, chemical debonding energy, frictional bond strength, and fiber bridging complementary energy. Additionally, the test results indicated that FR-ECC possesses the characteristics of normal fire-resistive materials, i.e., light weight (dry density of 566 kg/m3) and excellent thermal insulation. Owing to its superior mechanical property, FR-ECC holds promise as a solution to the sustainability of fireproofing material at an acceptable cost.