Lattice discrete particle modeling of the cycling behavior of strain-hardening cementitious composites with and without fiber reinforced polymer grid reinforcement

Abstract

Strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) has become increasingly prevalent in structural design. Compared to ordinary concrete, SHCC exhibits ultra-high tensile ductility, significant strain-hardening behavior, very fine multi-point cracking, high energy dissipation, and good durability. One robust model for simulating reinforced concrete behavior is the so-called Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM), and specifically LDPM-F which includes the effect of fiber reinforcement. The present cycling constitutive law implemented in LDPM and the cycling fiber-bridging law in LDPM-F though cannot accurately capture the residual tensile plastic strain, loading–unloading path, and energy dissipation of SHCC during cyclic tension. To solve these concerns, the cycling tension–compression constitutive law and the nonlinear cycling fiber-bridging law were reformulated. Further, the new model was used to simulate the cycling tensile behavior of plain concrete, SHCC, and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) grid reinforced SHCC (FRP-SHCC). Simulation results show that the multi-point cracking, crack widths, and ultra-high ductility properties are correctly captured by LDPM-F. In addition, LDPM-F with the modified cycling constitutive model can effectively simulate the cycling tension–compression behavior, accurately reproducing the stress–strain relationship, residual plastic strain, and overall dissipated energy. Finally, the simulated failure modes agree well with the actual fracture planes of these materials under cyclic tension.