Dynamic Splitting Tensile Behaviour of Concrete Confined by Natural Flax and Glass FRP

Abstract

Flax fibre has been used to reinforce concrete composite, but its dynamic properties have not been thoroughly studied. This study investigates the dynamic splitting tensile properties of plain concrete (PC) confined by flax-fibre-reinforced polymer (FFRP) and glass-fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP). The dynamic splitting tensile tests were carried out on PC, FFRP-PC, and GFRP-PC cylinder specimens by the high-speed servo-hydraulic machine, with the impact-induced strain rates ranging from 0.1 to 58 s⁻1. The effect of the FRP confinement, FRP thickness and strain rate on the dynamic splitting tensile behaviour were assessed. The results indicated that similar confinement effectiveness of FFRP and GFRP is observed. The dynamic tensile strength of 1- and 2-layer FFRP-PC increased by 29% and 67%, and the one- and two-layer GFRP-PC increased by 32% and 84%, respectively. FFRP-PC and GFRP-PC cylinders showed less sensitivity to the strain rate compared with PC. The empirical relationship between the tensile DIF and strain rate for PC, FFRP-PC and GFRP-PC was proposed based on experimental data. The proposed model was developed to predict the dynamic splitting tensile strength. The results suggested the potential of FFRP composites applied into concrete structures under extreme dynamic loadings.

An assessment of HDPE fillers and Fiber Wrapping on the strength of Reinforced Concrete

“…The incorporation of filler i.e., E-waste, short synthetic fiber, steel fibers, and natural fibers [1][2][3][4][5] slow down the random propagation of cracks. Along with that, Fiber-reinforced composites (FRP) as external jacket [6][7][8] is promising to enhance their strength due to their superior properties like high tensile strength, impact resistance, stiffness, and flexural strength. Wrapping the HDP (High-Density Polyethylene) sheet enhances the load-carrying capacity [2].…”

“…The incorporation of filler in concrete improves the ductility and crack flow pattern. The dynamic tensile strength of flax-fiber-reinforced polymer (FFRP) and glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) wrapped with impact strain ranging from 0.1 to 58 s-1 was studied by Wenjie Wang [6]. By increasing the wrapping layers, the tensile strength was enhanced by 29% and 67% in FFRP concrete and 32% and 84% in GFRP concrete.…”