Strain rate effect on the tensile behaviour of textile-reinforced concrete under static and dynamic loading

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation into the strength, deformation, and fracture behaviour of textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) subjected both to low and high-rate tensile loading ranging from 0.0001 to 50s^-1. High strain rates were achieved using a high-rate servo-hydraulic testing machine. The effect of the addition of short fibres on the static and dynamic response of TRC has been investigated, and the microstructure of both composite and fibre was observed after the tests using an ESEM. An increase in tensile strength, strain capacity, and work-to-fracture was observed for strain rates up to 0.1s^-1 with increasing strain rate. The addition of short glass fibres increased the tensile strength and first crack strength of the TRC. For high-speed tests (rates above 5s^-1) an increase in the tensile strength, first crack strength and work-to-fracture was also observed, but at the same time there was a decrease in the strain capacity. The tests at high loading rates showed a pronounced effect of the specimen length on the measured mechanical properties: with increasing gauge length the tensile strength and strain capacity decreased, while the work-to-fracture increased.