Uni-Axial Tensions Testing On Synthetic Fibre Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine uni-axial response of synthetic fibres required for structural design. The stress versus crack opening curves, required by RILEM for structural design of fibre reinforced concrete, were determined for each fibre type investigate and were used to compare the per fibre post-crack response, the pullout curves, and the flexural response. A study of the fibre distribution was conducted in order to determine the orientation factor required to predict the number of fibres expect in the tensile specimen crack face. The orientation factor, dosage, fibre geometry, and per fibre post-crack response were determined in order to predict the resulting tensile strength of a concrete mix. The tensile strength was compared to that of steel fibre currently being used in structural applications. The synthetic fibres tested only achieve a small percentage of their ultimate tensile strength; in order to produce synthetic fibres for structural applications, the bond strengths must be improved.