Evaluating the behaviour of functionally graded reinforced concrete without transverse reinforcement using distributed sensing

Functionally graded concrete (FGC) can lower cement content and CO2 emissions. However, the behaviour of FGC is not fully understood. To examine behaviour at concrete interfaces as well as global behaviour, horizontally and vertically layered FGC (HLFGC, VLFGC) and control beams, all without transverse reinforcement, were tested in three-point bending. Distributed sensing measured reinforcement strains, cracking behaviour, and load-deflection behaviour. Using fibre reinforced concrete increased the load carrying capacity of VLFGC and decreased the number of cracks and the cracking load for HLFGC. Cracking at interfaces produced lower cracking strengths in VLFGC beams and brittle failures in some HLFGC beams. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Functionally graded concrete (FGC) has the potential to lower cement content and reduce CO2 emissions, but its behavior is not fully understood. Testing horizontally and vertically layered FGC (HLFGC, VLFGC) revealed that using fiber reinforced concrete can increase load carrying capacity and reduce cracking in FGC beams, while cracking at interfaces can lead to lower cracking strengths.