The early-age shrinkage cracking and late-age fracture properties of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites

In this research, the shrinkage cracking and fracture properties of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC) are investigated using eccentric ring test and three-point bending test. In the eccentric ring test, the concept of the equivalent crack width (weq) is proposed based on the morphology and number of cracks of FRCC. A function considering curing time and fiber volume fraction is established to calculate the equivalent crack width of FRCC. The initial and complete-through cracking times of FRCC were measured to explain the effect of the fibers. In the three-point bending test, the crack initiation in FRCC is determined based on the average transverse force. The initial and unstable fracture toughnesses, as well as the fracture energy, have been calculated. The experimental results indicate that an increase in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber content can reduce the crack width and prolong the initial and complete-through cracking times induced by shrinkage. The unstable fracture toughness and fracture energy increase with the increase in the PVA fiber content. The results of the eccentric ring test and three-point bending test demonstrate that the primary role of PVA fibers is to extend the intermediate stage of cementitious materials from initial cracking to unstable cracking. Additionally, PVA fibers delay the energy release rate during the failure process.