Flexural fatigue behavior of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete

Abstract

Even though UHPFRC has been extensively utilized in infrastructures owing to its excellent mechanical properties, its fatigue behavior remains unclear because related research is very limited. In this study, the fatigue characteristics of UHPFRC were investigated using a four-point bending experiment. In this study, the fatigue characteristics of UHPFRC were investigated using a four-point bending experiment. To determine the fatigue load conditions, static tests were conducted at different loading speeds and ages before, during, and after the fatigue tests. The obtained mechanical properties exhibited a clear dependence on loading rate and age duration. Consequently, a loading frequency of 3 Hz, which is close to that experienced in real infrastructures, was employed in the fatigue tests. A linear S-N relation with a 0.87 fatigue endurance limit was obtained on a semi-logarithmic scale. Additionally, the fatigue life showed a close relationship with the initial cycle deformation. Correspondingly, threshold values of deformation indicators were proposed for predicting the occurrence of fatigue failure. Furthermore, a linear positive relationship was found between the density of multiple fine cracks and fatigue life, based on post-fatigue crack measurements using a microscope. The relatively narrow crack width compared to other cementitious composites demonstrated UHPFRC's superior resistance to corrosion factors. Consistent with the linear S-N relation, the structural degradation appears to be governed by a fiber slippage-to-pull mechanism, as no fiber rupture was observed.