Compressive behaviour and micromechanical modelling of steel-reinforced resin under monotonic and cyclic loading

Steel-Reinforced Resin (SRR) is a particulate material originally developed as an injectant for anchoring applications. More recently, it has been proposed as a filler material for cavities embedding mechanical connectors in FRP–steel hybrid bridges. In this context, the compressive behaviour of SRR becomes critical due to the multiaxial stress states and fatigue demands at a joint scale. This paper presents a comprehensive experimental and numerical investigation of SRR under monotonic, incremental cyclic, and fatigue compressive loading in unconfined conditions. A custom triaxial setup is also used to evaluate pressure sensitivity and strength enhancement due to confinement under monotonic loading. In parallel, micromechanical finite element models are developed to simulate the interactions between the resin matrix and the steel balls at the microscale, incorporating interface damage, friction, and cohesive failure. The models reproduce the observed nonlinear behaviour and reveal distinct Poisson’s ratio responses in tension and compression, offering deeper insight into the mechanisms governing stiffness degradation, strain softening, and plateau behaviour. • SRR's compressive behaviour is studied under monotonic and cyclic loading. • Triaxial tests confirm SRR’s pressure-sensitive mechanical behaviour. • Incremental cyclic tests reveal interaction of damage and plasticity in SRR. • Micromechanical models capture stiffness, interface damage, and Poisson ratio asymmetry. • Confinement improves SRR ductility and delays failure without increasing stiffness.