Flexural Response of Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites

In fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC), fibers can be effective in arresting cracks at both macro and micro levels. Most of the FRC used today involves the use of a single fiber type. This implies that a given fiber can provide reinforcement only at one level and within a limited range of strain or crack opening. For an optimal response, therefore, different types of fibers may be combined to produce hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HyFRC). The influence was quantified of various hybrid fiber combinations on fresh properties of concrete (that is, workability) and on hardened properties such as compressive strength. The main objective of this research, however, was to investigate the flexural toughness properties of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete and to identify synergistic effects between fibers, if present. It was noted that some hybrid composites demonstrated some synergy between fibers. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]