Title:
Test Methods for Fexural Toughness Characterization of Fiber Reinforced Concrete: Some Concerns and a Proposition
Author(s):
Nemkumar Banthia and Jean-Francois Trottier
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
92
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
48-57
Keywords:
cracking (fracturing); fiber reinforced concretes; flexural strength; flexural tests; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/1176
Date:
1/1/1995
Abstract:
The major advantage of fiber reinforced concrete over its unreinforced counterpart is in the improved energy absorption capability, or toughness. The current methods of characterizing the toughness of fiber reinforced concrete, however, have proven to be largely inadequate and have caused a great deal of dissent and confusion. This paper discusses some of the major difficulties with these standard methods and demonstrates their susceptibility to human judgment errors. The paper also proposes an alternate technique that addresses some of these concerns and is capable of characterizing fiber reinforced concrete toughness in an objective manner.