Tensile load capacity analysis of perforated reinforcement sheet

Abstract

Research was conducted to develop, analyze and optimize a novel composite element consisting of a perforated reinforcement sheet embedded in self consolidating fiber reinforced concrete (SC-FRC). Experimental results of the optimized composite showed that SC-FRC and the reinforcement sheet act synergistically, which leads to an enhanced material utilization. The research in this paper focuses only on the reinforcement sheet and its optimization supported by a finite element parametric study. A semi-mechanical model was derived to describe the load bearing capacity of an embedded reinforcement sheet under biaxial loading. The semi-mechanical model is based on the mechanical behavior of an infinitive sheet with centered opening. Direct tension tests of the concrete-steel composite as well as tension tests of the non-embedded sheet were performed to experimentally verify the proposed model.