Self-cleaning engineered cementitious composites

Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) is a strain hardening cementitious composite with extreme tensile ductility of several percent. Few emerging applications of ECC, including lightweight building façade and pavement, make self-cleaning a desirable functionality to be added into the material. This study aims to impart photocatalytic properties into ECC for engaging self-cleaning. Influence of TiO₂ content on mechanical properties, cleaning efficiency, surface wettability, and dirt pick-up resistance of white ECC was studied. It shows that the inclusion of TiO₂ in ECC engages photocatalysis, facilitates the decomposition of RhB, and enhances photo-induced hydrophilicity significantly. As a result, TiO₂-ECC possesses self-cleaning with higher dirt pick-up resistance than normal ECC. However, TiO₂ photocatalysis may adversely affect the flexural strength and ductility of ECC due to weakened fiber/matrix interface bond after UV/sunlight irradiation.     

Water permeability of engineered cementitious composites

The water permeability of a unique class of high performance fiber reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCC) called engineered cementitious composites (ECC) is investigated. These composites are deliberately tailored using microcmechanical design principles to exhibit pseudo-strain-hardening characteristics in uniaxial tension, up to greater than 4% strain. While undergoing tensile deformation, microcracks are designed to saturate the specimen rather than localize into large cracks. This tendency to form microcracks, which are experimentally shown to be approximately 60 μm in width, allows ECC material in the cracked state to maintain water permeability similar to that of uncracked concrete or mortar, and magnitudes lower than cracked reinforced mortar or concrete. It is also shown that the self-healing properties of cracks within ECC material significantly aids in reducing the coefficient of permeability of cracked ECC.     

Hazard mitigation and strengthening of unreinforced masonry walls using composites

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the behavior of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls retrofitted with composite laminates. The first testing phase included testing 24 URM assemblages under different stress conditions present in masonry walls. Tests included prisms loaded in compression normal and parallel to bed joints, diagonal tension specimens, and specimens loaded under joint shear. In the second testing phase, five masonry-infilled steel frames were tested with and without retrofit. The composite laminates increased the stiffness and strength and enhanced the post-peak behavior by stabilizing the masonry walls and preventing their out-of-plane spalling. Tests reported in this paper demonstrate the efficiency of composite laminates in improving the deformation capacity of URM, containing the hazardous URM damage, preventing catastrophic failure and maintaining the wall integrity even after significant structural damage.     

超高韧性水泥基复合材料自愈合研究进展

在总结了最近几年国内外相关研究进展的基础上,对超高韧性水泥基复合材料(ECC)及裂缝自愈合进行了综述。着重介绍了裂缝自愈合的最大允许宽度限值以及自愈合机制。提出利用ECC所独具的对裂缝宽度的可控性及紧密细小的微裂纹、较低的水胶比及矿物掺合料的二次水化效应可实现其良好的自愈合特性。最后指出该研究领域所面临的挑战及今后的研究方向,为ECC裂缝自愈合的研究提供有价值的理论参考。     

On the shear behavior of engineered cementitious composites

Results of an experimental investigation of structural response of shear beams made of a special class of cementitious composites, referred to as engineered cementitious composites (ECCs), are reported. ECCs are designed with tailored material structure and have been shown to exhibit pseudo strain-hardening tensile behavior. The improved performance in shear over conventional plain, fiber-reinforced, and wire mesh reinforced concrete is demonstrated. It is suggested that ECCs can be utilized for structural applications where superior ductility and durability performance are desired.     

Development of engineered cementitious composites with limestone powder and blast furnace slag

Nowadays limestone powder and blast furnace slag (BFS) are widely used in concrete as blended materials in cement. The replacement of Portland cement by limestone powder and BFS can lower the cost and enhance the greenness of concrete, since the production of these two materials needs less energy and causes less CO₂ emission than Portland cement. Moreover, the use of limestone powder and BFS improves the properties of fresh and hardened concrete, such as workability and durability. Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) is a class of ultra ductile fiber reinforced cementitious composites, characterized by high ductility, tight crack width control and relatively low fiber content. The limestone powder and BFS are used to produce ECC in this research. The mix proportion is designed experimentally by adjusting the amount of limestone powder and BFS, accompanied by four-point bending test and uniaxial tensile test. This study results in an ECC mix proportion with the Portland cement content as low as 15% of powder by weight. This mixture, at 28 days, exhibits a high tensile strain capacity of 3.3%, a tight crack width of 57 μm and a moderate compressive strength of 38 MPa. In order to promote a wide use of ECC, it was tried to simplify the mixing of ECC with only two matrix materials, i.e. BFS cement and limestone powder, instead of three matrix materials. By replacing Portland cement and BFS in the aforementioned ECC mixture with BFS cement, the ECC with BFS cement and limestone powder exhibits a tensile strain capacity of 3.1%, a crack width of 76 μm and a compressive strength of 40 MPa after 28 days of curing.     

Influence of micro-cracking on the permeability of engineered cementitious composites

Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) forms multiple micro-cracks under tension when loaded to beyond the elastic stage. Unlike normal concrete, such tight cracks help to maintain low water permeability even in the cracked stage. Therefore ECC shows great potential for application in hydraulic structures, such as dams and levees for which water seepage control is critical for their performance. In this paper, the permeability of ECC under constant tensile load was experimentally studied using a specially designed displacement-control loading device, providing permeability data for ECC under realistic loading conditions. In addition, an analytical model capable of predicting permeability property of ECC composite based on tensile strain and crack patterns has been proposed and experimentally verified on two different ECC mixtures. The findings of this research are expected to support future design and application of ECC for hydraulic structures.     

Strength and ductility of RC beams strengthened with steel-reinforced strain hardening cementitious composites

Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams using strain hardening cementitious composites (SHCCs) layer cast to their soffit has recently been investigated. That work confirmed that strain localization occurs in the SHCC-strengthening layer, which severely limits the ductility of the strengthened beam. This paper reports the ductility enhancement achieved in tests on reinforced concrete beams that were strengthened with lightly steel-reinforced SHCC layer (0.3% and 0.6% steel reinforcement ratio). It has been found that the combination of the SHCC and a small amount of steel reinforcement helps develop higher strain in the SHCC strengthening layer at ultimate load and eliminates the observed early strain localization. The recorded averaged strain at ultimate load of SHCC-strengthening layer provided with 0.3% and 0.6% steel reinforcement was 2.10 and 3.76 times that of an unreinforced SHCC layer. Also, use of a 0.6% reinforcement ratio changed the mode of failure of the SHCC-strengthened beams from brittle to more ductile. Moreover, the SHCC-strengthening layer with 0.6% reinforcement ratio was able to develop uniformly distributed visible cracks, which were the only indication that failure was imminent. It needs to be emphasized that strengthening of RC structures using an unreinforced SHCC layer may lead to a brittle failure.     

Behavior of full-scale reinforced concrete beams retrofitted for shear and flexural with FRP laminates

Four full-scale reinforced concrete beams were replicated from an existing bridge. The original beams were substantially deficient in shear strength, particularly for projected increase of traffic loads. Of the four replicate beams, one served as a control and the remaining three were implemented with varying configurations of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) and glass FRP (GFRP) composites to simulate the retrofit of the existing structure. CFRP unidirectional sheets were placed to increase flexural capacity and GFRP unidirectional sheets were utilized to mitigate shear failure. Four-point bending tests were conducted. Load, deflection and strain data were collected. Fiber optic gauges were utilized in high flexural and shear regions and conventional resistive gauges were placed in eighteen locations to provide behavioral understanding of the composite material strengthening. Fiber optic readings were compared to conventional gauges.Results from this study show that the use of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) composites for structural strengthening provides significant static capacity increases approximately 150% when compared to unstrengthened sections. Load at first crack and post cracking stiffness of all beams was increased primarily due to flexural CFRP. Test results suggest that beams retrofit with both the designed GFRP and CFRP should well exceed the static demand of 658 kN m sustaining up to 868 kN m applied moment. The addition of GFRP alone for shear was sufficient to offset the lack of steel stirrups and allow conventional RC beam failure by yielding of the tension steel. This allowed ultimate deflections to be 200% higher than the pre-existing shear deficient beam. If bridge beams were retrofit with only the designed CFRP failure would still result from diagonal tension cracks, albeit at a 31% greater load. Beams retrofit with only the designed shear GFRP would fail in flexure at the mid-span at an equivalent 31% gain over the control specimen, failing mechanism in this case being yielding of the tension steel. Successful monitoring of strain using fiber optics was achieved. However, careful planning tempered by engineering judgement is necessary as the location and gauge length of the fiber optic gauge will determine the usefulness of the collected data.     

Macroscopic and microstructural properties of engineered cementitious composites incorporating recycled concrete fines

Recycled concrete fines (RCF) are fine aggregates and particles from the demolition waste of old concrete. Unlike recycled coarse aggregates, RCF is seldom used to replace sands in concrete due to its high surface area and attached old mortar on the surface of RCF. This study investigated potential use of RCF as microsilica sand substitute in the production of engineered cementitious composites (ECC), a unique high performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites featuring extreme tensile strain capacity of several percent. The results showed that it is viable to use RCF as microsilica sand substitute in the production of ECC and the resulting RCF-ECCs possess decent compressive strength and strain capacity. Microstructure investigation on the component level revealed that RCF size and content modify matrix toughness and fiber/matrix interface properties. The influence of RCF size and content on ECC properties was clearly revealed and explained by the resulting fiber bridging σ(δ) curves of RCF-ECCs calculated from the micromechanical model. Micromechanics-based design principle can therefore be used for ingredients selection and component tailoring of RCF-ECCs.     

Out-of-plane behavior of unreinforced masonry walls strengthened with FRP strips

The out-of-plane behavior of unreinforced masonry walls strengthened with externally bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) strips is analytically studied. The analytical model uses variational principles, equilibrium requirements, and compatibility conditions between the structural components (masonry units, mortar joints, FRP strips, and adhesive layers) and assumes one-way flexural action of the strengthened wall. The masonry units and the mortar joints are modeled as Timoshenko’s beams. The FRP strips are modeled using the lamination and the first-order shear deformation theories, and the adhesive layers are modeled as 2D linear elastic continua. The model accounts for cracking of the mortar joints and for the development of debonding zones near the cracked joints. Numerical and parametric studies that reveal the capabilities of the model, throw light on the interaction between the variables, and quantitatively explain some aspects of the behavior of the strengthened wall are also presented.     

Prediction of debonding strength for masonry elements retrofitted with FRP composites using neuro fuzzy and neural network approaches

This paper proposes application of neuro fuzzy and neural network for predicting debonding strength of retrofitted masonry elements. In order to achieve high-fidelity model, this study uses extensive experimental databases for bond test results between Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and masonry elements by collecting existing bond test subassemblage tests from the literature. Various influential parameters that affect debonding resistance including thickness of the FRP strip, width of the FRP strip, elastics modulus of the FRP, bonded length, tensile strength of the masonry block and width of the masonry block are considered as input parameters to the artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). Test results of the ANN and ANFIS models were compared with multiple nonlinear regression, multiple linear regression and existing bond strength models. The accuracy of the optimal MNLR model was increased by 39% and 23% with respect to RMSE and MAE criteria using ANFIS. The comparison results indicated that the ANN and ANFIS models performed better than the other models and could be successfully used for prediction of debonding strength of retrofitted masonry elements.     

PVA纤维增强水泥基复合材料热处理后的力学性能

为了促进聚乙烯醇(PVA)纤维增强水泥基复合材料(PVA-ECC)在热环境工程领域中的应用,通过狗骨试件拉伸试验,研究了高粉煤灰掺量的PVA-ECC热处理后的力学性能变化;采用单纤维抗拉试验、单纤维拔出试验以及单裂缝拉伸试验研究了PVA-ECC性能提升的机制。结果表明:在不高于200℃的热处理后,PVA-ECC仍能实现多裂缝开裂,相比20℃,50、100、200℃热处理后的PVA-ECC复合材料的拉伸力学性能提高,其幅度为100℃> 50℃> 200℃;纤维强度不是PVA-ECC抗拉性能变化的控制因素,适当的温度处理提高了纤维与基体的化学黏结力和摩擦力,从而提高了纤维的桥接作用和裂缝的余能,进而提高了PVA-ECC的抗拉性能和摩擦耗能能力。PVA-ECC性能变化的机制分析为PVA-ECC工程设计提供了良好的理论基础。      

Flexural behavior of plain concrete beams strengthened with ultra high toughness cementitious composites layer

Ultra high toughness cementitious composites (UHTCC), which has metal-like deformation and crack width restricting ability, is expected to be utilized as retrofit materials. For this application, much attention needs to be paid to the working performance of structure members composed of UHTCC and existing concrete. This paper presents an investigation on the flexural behavior of plain concrete beams strengthened with UHTCC layer in tension face. The effect of UHTCC layer thicknesses on first crack load, ultimate flexural load, crack width, and load–deflection relationship is examined. The experimental results indicate that the use of UHTCC layer significantly increases the first crack load and ultimate flexural load. The first crack load and ultimate flexural load of composites beams increased with the increase of the UHTCC layer thickness. Considerable reduction in crack width was observed for composite specimens, as UHTCC layer restricted the cracks in upper concrete and dispersed them into multiple fine cracks effectively. Moreover, in comparison to plain concrete beam, composite beams could sustain the loading at a larger deflection without failure. Based on the plane section assumption, etc., a calculation method to predict the flexural capacity of composite beam was proposed. Good agreement between predictions and experiments had been obtained.     

Materials design for sustainability through life cycle modeling of engineered cementitious composites

Evaluating and enhancing construction material sustainability requires a life cycle perspective of the structures in which they are used, since material properties and durability can have a profound effect on overall infrastructure performance. A framework is proposed to evaluate and enhance the design of “greener” materials that integrates material design, structural design, and life cycle modeling of the built system. This framework is applied to engineered cementitious composite materials, a family of high performance fiber-reinforced composites used as link slabs in a concrete bridge deck. Modeling results show incorporating waste materials, such as fly ash, should be pursued only if the material retains adequate durability for the structural application where it is used. Additionally, traffic congestion resulting from bridge deck construction and rehabilitation events dominates environmental and economic life cycle results, consuming the most energy, producing the largest amount of pollutants, and generating the greatest life cycle costs.     

Development of durable cementitious composites using sisal and flax fabrics for reinforcement of masonry structures

Natural fibres are one of the most studied materials. However, the use of these fibres as reinforcements in composite materials for structural applications, especially for existing or historical masonry structures, remains a challenge. In this study, efforts were made to develop sustainable composites using cementitious matrices reinforced with untreated bi-directional fabrics of natural fibres, namely, flax and sisal fibres. The fibres were mechanically characterised by tensile tests performed on both single yarns and fabric strips. Ageing effects due to fibre mineralisation in alkaline cement paste environments may cause a reduction in the tensile strength of natural fibres. The matrices used to study fibre durability were a natural hydraulic lime-based mortar (NLM) mix with a low content of water-soluble salts and a lime-based grouting (NLG) mix containing natural pozzolans and carbonated filler. Tensile tests on impregnated single yarns subjected to wetting and drying cycles by exposure to external weathering were conducted at different ages to quantify these problems. Composite specimens were manufactured by the hand lay-up moulding technique using untreated fibre strips and an NLG matrix. The mechanical response of natural fibre reinforced cementitious (NFRC) composites was measured under tension, and the effect of the matrix thickness was also addressed. Both sisal and flax fibres showed good adhesion with the NLG matrix, making them capable of producing composites with ductile behaviour and suitable mechanical performance for strengthening applications in masonry structures.     

Development of pigmentable engineered cementitious composites for architectural elements through integrated structures and materials design

Integrated structures and materials design (ISMD) represents a new design approach that combines materials and structural engineering for the purpose of more effectively achieving targeted performance. Performance based design of structures provides flexibility and incentive to select composite materials with properties that efficiently meet the structural performance target. In this paper, ISMD concept was applied to develop pigmentable engineered cementitious composites (ECC) for architectural applications. Finite element analysis was carried out to relate structural performance (load capacity and energy absorption) to composite mechanical properties (tensile and compressive) under live and dead loads. Subsequently, white (and therefore highly pigmentable) ECC was developed to meet the desired composite properties. This paper details the structural performance—composite properties analyses, and test data on white ECC designed for the large form-factor panels. Through this research, the effectiveness of ISMD is revealed.     

不同纤维掺量下聚乙烯醇纤维增强工程水泥复合材料梁剪切韧性试验

为研究聚乙烯醇纤维增强工程水泥复合材料（PVA/ECC）无腹筋梁的剪切韧性,基于5组PVA/ECC梁受剪破坏试验结果,以剪切韧性指数和斜裂缝综合指数为指标,对不同纤维掺量下PVA/ECC梁的斜截面剪切韧性进行了研究与评价。结果表明:PVA纤维的掺入能改善梁的开裂性能,明显提高梁受荷全过程的变形能力及斜截面承载力,从而提高构件的剪切韧性;PVA纤维体积分数在0~2vol%范围内时,其值越大,加载过程中消耗的能量越多,斜截面抗剪承载力越高,破坏之前的总变形越大,梁的剪切韧性越好。      

Flax and polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole cementitious composites for the strengthening of masonry elements subjected to eccentric loading

To address the structural problems caused by eccentric loads in unreinforced masonry, three different types of masonry were prepared based on clay bricks bonded with a natural hydraulic lime mortar combined with a flax or polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composite. The mechanical behaviour when subjected to concentric and eccentric loads was studied by performing axial compression tests, with eccentric load tests only carried out in instances of large eccentricities. Analysis of the load–displacement and moment–curvature response revealed that both the flax- and PBO-based strengthening systems improve the strength and deformability of masonry. However, compared to the PBO fabric composite, the use of flax fabric provides a greater deformability that helps prevent the composite and substrate debonding.     

Improved fiber distribution and mechanical properties of engineered cementitious composites by adjusting the mixing sequence

Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) is a class of ultra ductile fiber reinforced cementitious composites, characterized by high ductility and tight crack width control. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber with a diameter of 39 μm and a length of 6-12 mm is often used. Unlike plain concrete and normal fiber reinforced concrete, ECC shows a strain-hardening behavior under tensile load. Apart from the mix design, the fiber distribution is another crucial factor for the mechanical properties of ECC, especially the ductility. In order to obtain a good fiber distribution, the plastic viscosity of the ECC mortar before adding fibers needs to be controlled, for example, by adjusting water-to-powder ratio or chemical admixtures. However, such adjustments have some limitations and may result in poor mechanical properties of ECC. This research explores an innovative approach to improve the fiber distribution by adjusting the mixing sequence. With the standard mixing sequence, fibers are added after all solid and liquid materials are mixed. The undesirable plastic viscosity before the fiber addition may cause poor fiber distribution and results in poor hardened properties. With the adjusted mixing sequence, the mix of solid materials with the liquid material is divided into two steps and the addition of fibers is between the two steps. In this paper, the influence of different water mixing sequences is investigated by comparing the experimental results of the uniaxial tensile test and the fiber distribution analysis. Compared with the standard mixing sequence, the adjusted mixing sequence increases the tensile strain capacity and ultimate tensile strength of ECC and improves the fiber distribution. This concept is further applied in the development of ECC with high volume of sand.