Coupling effect of short-fiber kind and matrix strength on uniaxial tensile behavior of textile-reinforced high-ductility concrete (TRHDC)

Abstract

To improve the textile strength utilization and the tensile performance of textile-reinforced composite (TRC), high-ductility concrete (HDC) was employed as a substitute for conventional concrete, resulting in the development of textile-reinforced high-ductility concrete (TRHDC). This study investigated the tensile behavior of TRHDC produced with two short fibers and three matrices. The effects of matrix strength on TRHDC incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene (PE) fibers were compared in terms of crack pattern, tensile stress–strain curve, tensile strength, and strain energy. TRC specimens were fabricated to examine the differences in tensile behavior between TRC and TRHDC. Experimental results showed that TRHDC exhibited a preferred multiple-cracking pattern and better tensile performance compared to TRC. Short PE fibers were more pronounced in improving tensile behavior than PVA fibers. Matrix strength influenced the tensile behavior of TRHDC differently depending on whether PVA or PE fibers were added. For TRHDC incorporating short PVA fibers, tensile strength and strain energy decreased with matrix strength, whereas the opposite trend was observed for TRHDC incorporating PE fibers. Finally, calculation models for predicting the tensile strength of TRHDC incorporating PVA or PE fibers were established, considering the effects of textile reinforcing ratio and matrix strength.