Work

Dynamic Splitting Tensile Behavior of Hybrid Fibers-Reinforced Cementitious Composites: SHPB Tests and Mesoscale Industrial CT Analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Building structures are inherently susceptible to damage from extreme dynamic loads, while conventional concrete exhibits inadequate tensile resistance. While hybrid fibers systems can surpass the limitations of single-fiber reinforcement through their synergistic action, their internal damage mechanisms under impact loading remain inadequately understood. This study investigates the dynamic splitting behavior of hybrid fibers-reinforced cementitious composites combining polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with either steel (SF) or polyethylene (PE) fibers, using Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) tests at strain rates of 5–31 s−1, along with industrial CT scanning for meso-scale damage analysis. Results indicate that the SF–PVA hybrid improved strength by up to 15.6% compared to mono-PVA, while the PE–PVA hybrid achieved an 11.1% increase. All hybrid systems exhibited improved energy dissipation (which rose 25–45% with strain rate) and displayed secondary stress peaks. Quantitative CT analysis revealed distinct damage patterns: the mono-PVA specimen developed extensive damage networks (porosity: 7.20%; crack ratio: 4.48%), the SF-PVA hybrid system displayed the lowest damage indices (porosity: 3.29%; crack ratio: 1.76%), whereas the PE-PVA hybrid system exhibited the most significant dispersed damage pattern (crack-to-pore ratio: 39.32%). The hybrid systems function via distinct mechanisms: SF–PVA offers multi-scale reinforcement and superior damage suppression, whereas PE–PVA enables sequential energy dissipation, effectively dispersing concentrated damage. These insights support tailored fiber hybridization for impact-resistant structural design.

Source: Buildings

DOI: 10.3390/buildings15234381

Authors: Xiudi Li, Tao Cai, Weilai Yao, Hui Wang, Xin Shu

Language: English

Topic: Innovative concrete reinforcement materials

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funders: Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment