Investigation on the flexural behavior of UHPCC considering the effect of fiber orientation distribution

This study aims to investigate the effect of fiber orientation distribution on the flexural behavior of ultra high performance cementitious composites (UHPCC) and to propose an analytical approach which enables to predict the flexural behavior considering probabilistic fiber orientation distribution. A three-point bending test with the notched beams was carried out and the fiber orientation distribution was quantitatively estimated by the help of image analysis process. The measured fiber orientation distributions for two different flexural performances confirmed that the fiber orientation distribution has a strong impact on the deflection hardening behavior in bending. Finite element analyses were performed to predict flexural behavior of UHPCC considering the difference in fiber bridging behavior depending on the fiber orientation distribution. The analytical results were in good agreement with the experimental results. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.