Pseudoductility of Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an investigation to determine the load‐deformation response of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) subjected to standard flexural (ASTM C‐1018) and split‐tension (ASTM C‐496) tests with the objective of studying the correspondence between the FRC tensile properties obtained with the two methods. This comparison is desirable since split‐tension performed on cores or cylinders could be preferable to the more common flexure test with regard to ease of specimen collection or fabrication, and testing. In this study, a total of 17 fiber types from the United States, Europe, and Japan are used at two or more different volume contents. In terms of pseudoductility, it is found that the flexural test effectively differentiates between fiber content and type. On the contrary, the instrumented split‐tension test, with deformation measured along the horizontal diameter (perpendicular to the load plane), shows a flat postcracking response that is almost independent of fiber content and type. In the latter test, fracture propagates in a controlled and stable fashion for almost all the FRC specimens tested as a result of the improved pullout strength of the fiber.