Engineered cementitious composite and its applications

Abstract

Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) is a cement based composite material containing discontinuous short polymeric fibers performing strain hardening behavior and high ductility based upon its micromechanics. Micro-mechanics mean that a micro-mechanical model is developed for the mechanical interaction between fibers, matrix, and interface which relates these constituent properties to composite response. ECC has high ductile properties after the first crack and due to this property, it is also known as Ductile Fibers Reinforced Composite (DFRCC). ECC exhibits strain-hardening performance with multiple micro-cracking during the inelastic deformation unlike the conventional fibers reinforced composite. This study investigates the properties of ECC and differentiate its behavior with High Performance Fibers Reinforced Cementitious Composites (HPFRCC) and other Fibers Reinforced Concrete (FRC). Moreover, this study provides an insight on application of ECC in the structural engineering so far around the world. Furthermore, an experimental study has been performed to determine the efficiency of precast ECC sheets for strengthening of masonry walls. The precast ECC sheets are pasted to masonry walls by use of epoxy as adhesive. The out-of-plane response of the unstrengthened and strengthened masonry walls are determined. The present study shows that the application of precast ECC sheet increases the load bearing capacity and ductility of the masonry walls and hence demonstrates its performance as strengthening element for brick masonry structures.