Influence of high performance fiber reinforced concrete on the ductility of beam elements

In the present paper the influence of high performance fiber reinforced concrete (HPFRC) on the local and global ductility of beam elements, with and without steel reinforcement, is highlighted. The characterization of the composite material is carried out firstly with direct tensile tests, whose results are used for the calibration of a simplified constitutive relationship, adopted for a wide parametric enquire. The main aim is the evaluation of the properties of HPFRC material, in terms of matrix strength, fiber characteristics and volume fraction, suitable to provide a ductile material and then to improve the plastic capacity of the elements. The response of the FRC beam elements is simulated with an analytical model, already proposed by the authors and validated with experimental outcomes. The model is based on the study of a cracked element and accounts for cracking, material non-linearity, tension-stiffening effects and presence of slip at the interfaces.