Finite Element Modelling and Analysis of Fiber Reinforced Concrete under Tensile and Flexural Loading

Abstract

Concrete is a material exhibiting high compressive strength but about tenfold lower tensile strength. Its brittle property also prohibits the transmission of stresses after cracking. Thus, steel, polymer, polypropylene, glass, carbon, and other fibers are added to concrete to form fiber-reinforced concretes (FRC) having enhanced mechanical properties. The utilization of fiber-reinforced concrete is widespread. Identifying the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced cement composites under dynamic loading, establishing relationships between their composition, structure, and properties, justifying the correct mathematical model, and determining its parameters are challenging. Utilizing finite elemental modeling and analysis to comprehend the mechanical characteristics of the FRC addition to concrete bricks has shown considerable benefit. In the present study, polypropylene microfibers are included in fiber-reinforced concrete composites, and their performance is compared to that of unreinforced concrete bricks. Under FEA analysis, three-point bending and uniaxial tensile tests were conducted. The results indicate that using fiber reinforcements increases the tensile strength and endurance of the brick.

Two percolation behaviors in binary heterogeneous composites for high permittivity and negative permittivity

“…Composite are usually produced from at least two constituent materials with notably different functional properties, such as electrical or mechanical properties, wherein one typical material is chosen as a matrix and a material is chosen as filler, combining the unique properties of both components. The percolation phenomenon, a classic and significant behavior in physics, is widely used to evaluate the physical performance in heterogeneous composites [1][2][3][4][5]. When the functional fillers come into contact with each other with increasing filler content and establish a continuous cluster or network throughout the composite, there will be an abrupt shift in the physical properties of the composites and it is possible to achieve some magical performances, such as high permittivity, high electrical or thermal conductivity and negative permittivity [6,7].…”