Experimental and Analytical Study on the Flexural Performance of Layered ECC–Concrete Composite Beams

Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) has emerged as a promising solution with which to address the longstanding challenge of cracking in the tensile zone of reinforced concrete beams. This study conducts an experimental and analytical exploration of the flexural performance of ECC-concrete compos...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chong Gui, Jinlong Ji, Chongfa Xu, Zhihua Li, Xuan Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1592
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850127227229831168
author Chong Gui
Jinlong Ji
Chongfa Xu
Zhihua Li
Xuan Guo
author_facet Chong Gui
Jinlong Ji
Chongfa Xu
Zhihua Li
Xuan Guo
author_sort Chong Gui
collection DOAJ
description Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) has emerged as a promising solution with which to address the longstanding challenge of cracking in the tensile zone of reinforced concrete beams. This study conducts an experimental and analytical exploration of the flexural performance of ECC-concrete composite beams reinforced with hot-rolled ribbed steel bars. Sixteen beams, featuring diverse reinforcement ratios and ECC layer thicknesses, underwent rigorous testing through a four-point bending setup. The experimental findings underscore a substantial improvement in crack resistance and flexural bearing capacity of ECC-concrete composite beams reinforced with steel bars. Building on these results, a theoretical model was formulated to predict the moment-deflection responses of ECC-concrete composite beams incorporating steel bars. Furthermore, practical and simplified methods were introduced to predict flexural bearing capacity and effective moment of inertia, as well as anticipate failure modes, offering a user-friendly approach for engineering applications. Validation of the proposed approaches was achieved through simulation results, demonstrating a high degree of accuracy when compared with the experimental outcomes. Moreover, the average crack width at serviceability limit states of composite beams was sensitive to specimen size and the yield strength of steel bars, and a size effect was also observed for ductility expressed as deflection.
format Article
id doaj-art-c8c2b5274ffd446992f1ba521ed9e98d
institution OA Journals
issn 2075-5309
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Buildings
spelling doaj-art-c8c2b5274ffd446992f1ba521ed9e98d2025-08-20T02:33:43ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-05-011510159210.3390/buildings15101592Experimental and Analytical Study on the Flexural Performance of Layered ECC–Concrete Composite BeamsChong Gui0Jinlong Ji1Chongfa Xu2Zhihua Li3Xuan Guo4GuangXi Beitou Highway Construction and Investment Group Co., Ltd., Nanning, ChinaCollege of Civil Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, ChinaSchool of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, ChinaCollege of Civil Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, ChinaCollege of Civil Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, ChinaEngineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) has emerged as a promising solution with which to address the longstanding challenge of cracking in the tensile zone of reinforced concrete beams. This study conducts an experimental and analytical exploration of the flexural performance of ECC-concrete composite beams reinforced with hot-rolled ribbed steel bars. Sixteen beams, featuring diverse reinforcement ratios and ECC layer thicknesses, underwent rigorous testing through a four-point bending setup. The experimental findings underscore a substantial improvement in crack resistance and flexural bearing capacity of ECC-concrete composite beams reinforced with steel bars. Building on these results, a theoretical model was formulated to predict the moment-deflection responses of ECC-concrete composite beams incorporating steel bars. Furthermore, practical and simplified methods were introduced to predict flexural bearing capacity and effective moment of inertia, as well as anticipate failure modes, offering a user-friendly approach for engineering applications. Validation of the proposed approaches was achieved through simulation results, demonstrating a high degree of accuracy when compared with the experimental outcomes. Moreover, the average crack width at serviceability limit states of composite beams was sensitive to specimen size and the yield strength of steel bars, and a size effect was also observed for ductility expressed as deflection.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1592ECC–concrete composite beamengineered cementitious composite (ECC)analytical modelcrack widthductilitysize effect
spellingShingle Chong Gui
Jinlong Ji
Chongfa Xu
Zhihua Li
Xuan Guo
Experimental and Analytical Study on the Flexural Performance of Layered ECC–Concrete Composite Beams
Buildings
ECC–concrete composite beam
engineered cementitious composite (ECC)
analytical model
crack width
ductility
size effect
title Experimental and Analytical Study on the Flexural Performance of Layered ECC–Concrete Composite Beams
title_full Experimental and Analytical Study on the Flexural Performance of Layered ECC–Concrete Composite Beams
title_fullStr Experimental and Analytical Study on the Flexural Performance of Layered ECC–Concrete Composite Beams
title_full_unstemmed Experimental and Analytical Study on the Flexural Performance of Layered ECC–Concrete Composite Beams
title_short Experimental and Analytical Study on the Flexural Performance of Layered ECC–Concrete Composite Beams
title_sort experimental and analytical study on the flexural performance of layered ecc concrete composite beams
topic ECC–concrete composite beam
engineered cementitious composite (ECC)
analytical model
crack width
ductility
size effect
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1592
work_keys_str_mv AT chonggui experimentalandanalyticalstudyontheflexuralperformanceoflayeredeccconcretecompositebeams
AT jinlongji experimentalandanalyticalstudyontheflexuralperformanceoflayeredeccconcretecompositebeams
AT chongfaxu experimentalandanalyticalstudyontheflexuralperformanceoflayeredeccconcretecompositebeams
AT zhihuali experimentalandanalyticalstudyontheflexuralperformanceoflayeredeccconcretecompositebeams
AT xuanguo experimentalandanalyticalstudyontheflexuralperformanceoflayeredeccconcretecompositebeams