Nonlinear FE modelling and parametric study on flexural performance of ECC beams

Abstract

Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) is a special class of the new generation of high performance fiber reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCC) featuring high ductility with relatively low fiber content. In this research, the mechanical performance of ECC beams will be investigated with respect to the effect of slag and aggregate size and amount, by employing nonlinear finite element method. The validity of the models was verified with the experimental results of the ECC beams under monotonic loading. Based on the numerical analysis method, nonlinear parametric study was then conducted to evaluate the influence of the ECC aggregate content (AC), ECC compressive strength (fECC), maximum aggregate size (Dmax) and slag amount (ϕ) parameters on the flexural stress, deflection, load and strain of ECC beams. The simulation results indicated that when increase the slag and aggregate size and content no definite trend in flexural strength is observed and the ductility of ECC is negatively influenced by the increase of slag and aggregate size and content. Also, the ECC beams revealed enhancement in terms of flexural stress, strain, and midspan deflection when compared with the reference beam (microsilica MSC), where, the average improvement percentage of the specimens were 61.55%, 725%, and 879%, respectively. These results are quite similar to that of the experimental results, which provides that the finite element model is in accordance with the desirable flexural behaviour of the ECC beams. Furthermore, the proposed models can be used to predict the flexural behaviour of ECC beams with great accuracy.