Title:
Effect of Matrix Ductility on Deformation Behavior of Steel-Reinforced ECC Flexural Members under Reversed Cyclic Loading Conditions
Author(s):
Gregor Fischer and Victor C. Li
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
99
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
781-790
Keywords:
damage; deformation; ductility; reinforced concrete; tolerance
DOI:
10.14359/12343
Date:
11/1/2002
Abstract:
This paper summarizes results of a research project aimed at investigating the effect of ductile deformation behavior of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) on the response of steel reinforced flexural members to lateral load reversals. The combination of a ductile cementitious matrix and steel reinforcement is found to result in improved energy dissipation capacity, reduction of transverse steel reinforcement requirements, and damage-tolerant inelastic deformation behavior. The basic concepts and composite deformation mechanisms of steel reinforced ECC are presented, experimentally verified, and compared to conventional reinforced concrete using small-scale specimens. Results indicate advantageous synergistic effects between ECC matrix and steel reinforcement with respect to compatible deformation, structural composite integrity, and damage evolution, and they suggest integrating advanced materials design in the structural design process. Due to the scale of the specimens used in this study, experimental results presented in this paper are interpreted from a conceptual rather than strictly quantitative viewpoint.