Enhancing flexural capacity and crack resistance of two-span continuous beams with engineered cementitious composite (ECC) under static loading conditions

This study examined the behavior of two-span continuous beams reinforced with Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) under static loads, showcasing ECC's significant ability to enhance the flexural strength, durability, and overall resilience of conventional concrete structures. The research focused on assessing how ECC layers contribute to the structural integrity, load-bearing capacity, and crack development of the beams, utilizing a mix of materials including Ordinary portland cement (OPC) 43 Grade, fly ash, manufactured sand, polypropylene fibers, silica fume, superplasticizer, water, and coarse aggregates. The flexural tests indicated that replacing traditional concrete with ECC led to substantial improvements in load-carrying capacity and ductility, with ECC's unique properties resulting in reduced crack widths and spacing in tension zones. Additionally, the study highlighted ECC's advantages in terms of energy absorption and post-cracking behavior, suggesting that beams with ECC could exhibit longer service life and lower maintenance requirements. The integration of ECC also enhanced protection for the longitudinal reinforcement, indicating its potential for use in seismic-resistant designs and other high-performance applications. Overall, the findings underscore ECC's transformative role in improving the performance and sustainability of concrete structures in modern engineering.