Study on crack propagation of functionally graded ultra-high performance cementitious composite

This study investigates the damage process and crack propagation of functionally graded ultra-high-performance cementitious composite (FGUHPCC) with different layers (two and three layers) and fibers types (steel and PVA) through four-point bending test. The evolution process of surface displacement and strain of the sample was analyzed by digital image correlation (DIC) technology, and the influence of the top, middle and bottom layers of FGUHPCC on the damage pattern are also investigated by RFPA3D program. The results indicate that functionally graded design improves the equivalent flexural strength and deflection capacity of the specimens compared with the UHPCC with single layer design. FGUHPCC with three layers and mixed steel and polyvinyl alcohol fibers exhibited best flexural behavior. According to the recorded DIC data and corresponding analyses, the crack opening displacement (COD) profile of functionally graded design with three layers is mutable and nonlinear, and the maximum crack propagation speed is 0.096 L/s, which is the lowest compared with other tested specimens, and the largest crack area ratios are about 0.04% and 0.147% at LOP and MOR, respectively. Based on RFPA3D results, with the change of fiber content, the cumulative AE energy growth rate (k) of bottom layer is about 2.7 times and 1.5 times of that of the middle layer and the top layer, respectively.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the damage process and crack propagation of functionally graded ultra-high-performance cementitious composite (FGUHPCC) with different layers and fiber types. The results show that the functionally graded design improves the flexural strength and deflection capacity compared to single layer design. FGUHPCC with three layers and mixed steel and PVA fibers exhibit the best flexural behavior. The crack opening displacement (COD) profile of the functionally graded design is mutable and nonlinear, with the lowest maximum crack propagation speed and largest crack area ratios compared to other specimens.