Impact strength of Hybrid Steel Mesh-and-Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites

Abstract

Large volumes of concrete are produced for construction purposes which creates sustainability issues. Therefore, some of the alternatives to concrete that are being researched and implemented are Steel Mesh Reinforced Cementitious Composites (SMRCC) and Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites (FRCC). But due to limitations in element thickness and volume percentage of reinforcement in SMRCC and FRCC, this study has made an attempt to develop Hybrid Steel Mesh-and-Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites (HSMFRCC) and study its impact performance. Thus, in order to evaluate the energy absorption of HSMFRCC, 250 mm × 250 mm × 25 mm (thick) slab elements were cast with various combinations of 3–5 layers of steel weld mesh and SS fibers of 0.5–2.5% (of volume of specimens) and low velocity repeated drop weight impact test was administered. From the experimental results, it was found that the impact resistance of HSMFRCC (test specimens) is higher than SMRCC (control specimens using only steel mesh as reinforcement). Regression models have been developed in this study and validated using new hybrid mesh and fiber reinforcement mix. The predicted regression equations developed for initial and ultimate impact energy absorption of cementitious composites with hybrid steel mesh and fibers will be quite useful to the practitioners.