Potential of shape memory alloys in fiber reinforced high performance concrete

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced concretes have been used in large quantities for the production of precast concrete elements since the 1970s. Fibers of steel, plastic, mineral or other materials are added to the concrete to increase tensile and flexural strength and converting brittle failure into ductile post-cracking behavior. However, based on the rheology, the amount of fiber added is limited. By using shape memory alloys (SMA) as fiber reinforcement, the mechanical properties of ductile fiber-reinforced (ultra) high performance concrete ((U)HPC) can be combined with the good rheological properties of fiber-free concretes.