Effects of loading conditions and specimen thickness on the flexural behavior of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites

The flexural performance of polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC) have been investigated within the scope of this study. Thin plates and relatively thicker prismatic specimens have been prepared by using three fiber-matrix combinations. The center-point and two-point loading flexural performance of these specimens has been determined in terms of; first cracking strength, flexural strength and toughness. Test results showed that there is a significant difference in the flexural properties and toughness between thin specimens (mini-plates; thickness/span = 0.08) incorporating PP and PVA fibers. Despite their different shaped load-deflection curves, the flexural load carrying capacity of PP and PVA FRCCs was approximately same with the prismatic specimens (thickness/span = 0.31). According to center-point and two-point loading flexural test results, two-point loading condition seems more appropriate to visualize multiple cracking for PVA fiber reinforced thin members