Hybrid effect of fibre mesh and short fibres on the biaxial bending behaviour of TRC

Abstract

Textile mesh-reinforced concrete (TRC) and mortar have been studied in recent years. However, current testing methods are focused on simply supported members under uniaxial bending; these are inadequate for analysis of a biaxially tensioned fibre mesh and incapable of revealing the biaxial behaviour of a TRC panel. Moreover, the fibres can be damaged by the alkalinity of concrete. To overcome this inadequacy, a series experiment of two-way panels is carried out. The methodology used here consists of the experiment and analysis of experimental data, Suitable fibres are selected based on alkali resistance; the effect of fibre meshes on the biaxial bending capacity of the two-way TRC slabs is studied. By addressing the disadvantages of brittle fibre mesh-reinforced concrete compared with conventional reinforced-concrete panels, a significant improvement in the ductility of a TRC panel with steel fibres is achieved. Following the analysis of the experimental data, it can be concluded that a conventional steel mesh with reinforcement ratio of 0·2% can be replaced by a combination of glass or basalt fibre mesh and steel fibres.