Abstract
Fiber-reinforced foamed concrete (FRFC) is a lightweight material that has the potential to perform well in seismic applications due to its low density and improved mechanical properties. However, studies focused on the seismic assessment of this material are limited. In this work, U-shaped wall specimens, made of FRFC reinforced with henequen fibers and plain foamed concrete (PFC) with a density of 900 kg/m3, were subjected to shaking table tests. PFC and FRFC were characterized using compression and tension tests. FRFC exhibited enhanced mechanical properties, which were attributed to the fibers. The dynamic tests showed that U-shaped walls made of FRFC performed better than those made of PFC. The time period prior to the collapse of the FRFC U-shaped walls was longer than that of the PFC specimens, which was attributed to the enhanced specimen integrity by the fibers. Finite element simulations of the shaking table test allowed for the prediction of the stress concentration and plastic strain that may lead to the failure of the U-shaped wall. These results showed that U-shaped walls made of FRFC have the potential to perform well in seismic applications, however, these results are preliminary and further studies are needed to support the findings of this work.
Highlights
Unreinforced masonry (URM) structures, such as those made of adobe, clay, bricks, or blocks, are used in many parts of the world because they are inexpensive, relatively easy to build and utilize locally available materials
Further studies should include strategies to assess the effect of different fiber volume fractions foamed concrete densities on theon mechanical properties of the fiber-reinforced foamed concrete (FRFC), assessment of the durability and foamed concrete densities the mechanical properties of theanFRFC, an assessment of the of the henequen fibers in the cement-based foamed concrete, and further mechanical testing to fully durability of the henequen fibers in the cement-based foamed concrete, and further mechanical understand the toughening mechanisms of the foamed concrete reinforced with natural fibers
The mechanical performance of U-shaped wall model specimens subjected to cyclic loading, by means of shaking table tests, was investigated
Summary
Unreinforced masonry (URM) structures, such as those made of adobe, clay, bricks, or blocks, are used in many parts of the world because they are inexpensive, relatively easy to build and utilize locally available materials. In many cases, URM structures are unregulated, and are built using simple technology and low-quality construction practices [1]. One major concern is that URM construction is still widely used in areas prone to seismic activity. URM structures are highly susceptible to damage from earthquakes [2], meaning that a major earthquake could cause significant human and economic losses. URM structures are vulnerable to seismic events because they are not capable of dissipating energy through large plastic deformations during an earthquake, due to their lack of ductility [3]. The failure of earthen buildings during an earthquake is mainly due to its low Materials 2020, 13, 2534; doi:10.3390/ma13112534 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials
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