Title: Failure Mechanisms and Fracture of Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Author(s): V. S. Gopalaratnam and S. P. Shah

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 105

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-26

Keywords: bonding; composite materials; cracking (fracturing); pullout tests; crack width and spacing; failure mechanisms; fiber reinforced concretes; mathematical models; strains; tensile strength; Structural Research

DOI: 10.14359/2886

Date: 12/1/1987

Abstract:
Several types of failure mechanisms and fracture of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) composites are discussed. These include: multiple fracture of the matrix prior to composite fracture; catastrophic failure of the composite immediately following matrix cracking due to inadequate reinforcing; fiber pullout following matrix cracking providing significant energy absorption with or without substantial strengthening of the matrix; and fracture of short fibers bridging the matrix crack without multiple fracture of the matrix. Aspects relating to the modeling of the two major causes for nonlinearities associated with fiber concrete composites, namely interfacial bond-slip and matrix softening, are also discussed. Analytical models available for predicting the tensile response of such composites are examined in light of the above mechanisms of failure.