Influence of Thermal Cycles on the Fracture Properties of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Concrete

Abstract

In this study the fracture behaviour of fiber reinforced polymer concrete, subjected to freeze-thaw and thermal degradation, is discussed in order to compare the behavior of this material with conventional cement concrete. The specimens were subjected to freeze-thaw and higher temperature cycles in a climatic chamber and then tested according to RILEM standards. Evaluation of the stress intensity factor, Kic, and of the critical crack tip opening displacement CTODc, was conducted with the Two Parameter Method (TPM). The fracture energy, Gf, of the specimens was also evaluated. Polymer concrete was reinforced with short glass and carbon fiber with 1% and 2% in mass respectively to determine whether the reinforcement increases the performance of the material. Unlike positive thermal cycles, which affect the material properties, freeze-thaw cycles do not deteriorate the material properties significantly.