A Simplified Stress-Crack Width Model for Strain Hardening Cementitious Material (SHCM)

In this study, the influence of fiber orientation on stress-crack width behavior conducts of strain-hardening cementitious materials was experimented with. A simplified stress-crack width model has been developed which may consider the influence of fiber orientation before cracking and the post-peak part of the softening curve. Fiber volume and fiber orientation about the flow direction during casting are considered key parameters. A detailed experimental investigation was performed to understand the behavior of fiber orientation in the matrix. From the experimental investigation, it was observed that 0° fiber orientation shows more strain hardening properties after cracking whereas 90° degree shows the least strain hardening. As a whole, fiber addition in the self-compacting cementitious material brought strain hardening behavior in the matrix. Based on the experimental results, the model parameters were observed and formulated. To validate the simplified model, a comparison was made between experimental results and the proposed model. A quality agreement was accomplished between experimental results and the proposed simplified model.