A mesoscale model for multiple cracking behavior of strain-hardening cementitious composites

Abstract

Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites (SHCC) is composed of fiber, mortar, and fiber-matrix interface, which performs tensile strain-hardening behavior and multiple cracking. The tensile properties of SHCC are affected by multiple factors due to its complexity material compositions. In this paper, a three-dimensional mesoscale finite element model of SHCC involving fiber, mortar, and fiber-matrix interface is established to predict the characteristics of tension and multiple cracking. Based on the single fiber pull-out tests, a joint fiber-matrix constitutive model for the truss element is proposed to represent the interaction between the fiber and the fiber-matrix interface. The proposed model agrees well with the experiment. Based on the validated model, a parametric study is conducted on the mortar tensile strength, frictional bond strength, chemical bond strength, and PVA slip-hardening coefficient, which provides instructive support for the design of SHCC.