Deflection Hardening and Workability of Hybrid Fiber Composites

Abstract

Using a predetermined performance criterion as a basis, there was development of a deflection-hardening hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HyFRC) mixture design. There also was investigation of various hybrid and nonhybrid fiber combinations. There was demonstration, through flexural tests and consistency measurements, that material flowability and cohesiveness can be enhanced while maintaining flexural strength through a concrete-based matrix used with a hybrid fiber combination. Four-point bending was used to cast and test HyFRC beam elements, and there was comparison of results against plain concrete control beam flexural performance with and without conventional steel reinforcement. Post-crack flexural stiffness can be enhanced while lower yield strengths can be maintained in HyFRC with reinforcing bar at 0.3% reinforcing ratios in comparison to a reinforced plain concrete element with a 1.1% reinforcing ratio.