Material properties of a new hybrid fibre-reinforced engineered cementitious composite

This paper explores experimentally the mechanical properties of a new hybrid fibre-reinforced engineered cementitious composite (ECC) material reinforced with 1.75% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibre and 0.58% steel (SE) fibre. The development of this new ECC aims to achieve better impact resistance. A series of experiments were carried out to determine the compressive strength, Young’s modulus, modulus of rupture, and tensile characteristics of the new material. In the direct tensile test, tensile characteristics of the new material with varying strain rate from 1 × 10−5 to 1 × 10−1 per second were investigated to determine the rate dependence of the material. Material properties of the ECC reinforced with 1.5% PVA fibre and 0.5% SE fibre, which is denoted as the reference mix in this paper and has been claimed to be the most promising composition of fibres for impact resistance was also tested in this study for comparison and for determination of effect of fibre volume fraction on the material properties. It was concluded that the new ECC reinforced with 1.75% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibre and 0.58% steel (SE) fibre exhibits improved strength and strain capability than the reference ECC, which are both essential for improving impact resistance.

► Development of a new hybrid fibre engineering cementitious composite. ► Testing of compressive strength, Young’s modulus, modulus of rupture. ► Testing of tensile characteristics under varying strain rate. ► Testing of the mechanical properties of a reference ECC for comparison. ► A simple and cost effective universal joint to ensure alignment of specimen.