Experimental and theoretical studies of flax FRP strengthened coconut fibre reinforced concrete slabs under impact loadings

The impact behaviour of flax fibre reinforced polymer (FFRP) strengthened coconut fibre reinforced concrete (CFRC) slabs was investigated through experimental and theoretical studies. Plain concrete, CFRC and FFRP-CFRC slabs were built and tested under impact loadings. Impact results showed FFRP-CFRC specimens had better performance in aspects of energy absorption and keeping the integrity of the concrete, comparing with PC and CFRC specimens. Another impact test was carried out for finding the more effective wrapping configuration between three different wrapping designs of the FFRP strengthened CFRC slab, and their parameters, i.e. impact force history, strain history of FFRP, deflection history, energy absorption and damage pattern were discussed to evaluate the impact resistance. After the experimental study, theoretical analysis method was used to predict the maximum impact force as well as the maximum deflection, the results of which showed good agreement with the experimental results. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.