Flexural Behavior of Layered PVA Fiber/Steel Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composite Plates

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber reinforced cementitious composites (PFRCC) and steel fiber reinforced cementitious composites (SFRCC) were combined to develop two-layer cementitious composites (PF/SFRCC) with extraordinary strength and strain capacity. The flexural behavior of the PF/SFRCC plates was studied through the flexural test. The effects of the thickness of PFRCC and the loading face on the load-deflection relationship, cracking load and deflection, and ultimate load and deflection of the PF/SFRCC plates were discussed. The results showed that as the thickness of PFRCC increases, the behavior of specimens transforms from deflection softening to deflection hardening if the SFRCC is the loading face; however, the specimens always exhibit the deflection softening behavior if the PFRCC is the loading face. Also, the cracking load and the cracking deflection do not change too much, and the ultimate load gradually decreases; however, the ultimate deflection increases significantly if the SFRCC is the loading face but changes slightly if the PFRCC is the loading face. When the SFRCC instead of PFRCC serves as the loading face, the specimens tend to exhibit the deflection hardening behavior; the cracking load, cracking deflection, and ultimate load do not change too much; however, the ultimate deflection is significantly higher.