Multiscale fibrous reinforcements yield high-performance construction composite

A recent study published in Engineering by Peizhao Zhou and Peng Feng from Tsinghua University introduces a novel construction material—flexible ultra-high performance reinforced cementitious composite (FHPRC). This material holds great potential for revolutionizing the construction industry with its excellent mechanical properties.

The research focuses on the concept of multiscale fibrous reinforcements in cementitious matrices. By carefully tailoring the types, sizes, and volume fractions of fibers, the researchers optimized the tensile behavior of the composite. They combined the superior strength and durability of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with the high ductility and crack control capacity of engineered cementitious composite to create FHPRC. This new material boasts a compressive strength of 160 MPa, a tensile strength of 36 MPa, an ultimate tensile strain of over 1%, a crack width of less than 0.1 mm, and significant post-yield stiffness.

To validate the effectiveness of FHPRC, the researchers conducted a series of experiments. They fabricated 30 plate specimens from 10 groups and subjected them to four-point bending tests. The tests comprehensively investigated the effects of strain-hardening cementitious composite (SHCC) type, fiber-reinforced polymer () type, and configuration on the flexural behavior of the composite. The experimental results showed that carbon FRP (CFRP) textiles, when combined with short steel fibers, significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of UHPC. For example, compared with unreinforced UHPC, the load-carrying capacity of UHPC–FRP plates increased by up to 163.5%, and the ultimate deflection improved by 331.7%.

In addition to the experimental investigation, the researchers also developed numerical models to analyze the flexural behavior of FHPRC. They established an equivalent constitutive model for layered shells based on the smeared crack approach, which simplifies the numerical effort required to simulate intense matrix cracking. The model was used to simulate three independent bending experiments, and the results demonstrated its accuracy in predicting the mechanical behavior of FHPRC. Compared with the conventional uncorrected model, the proposed model reduced the root mean square errors of the ultimate deflection and load-carrying capacity by 93.1% and 90.0%, respectively.

The development of FHPRC provides valuable insights into the field of advanced construction materials. Its high strength, ductility, and crack control capacity make it suitable for a wide range of applications in super-high-rise, long-span spatial, and ultra-thin shell structures. Although the study did not explore the effects of nanomaterials on the mechanical properties of the composite, it paves the way for future research in optimizing composite materials and promoting sustainable construction practices.

The paper “Flexible Ultra-High Performance Reinforced Cementitious Composite Plates Based on Multiscale Fibrous Reinforcements,” is authored by Peizhao Zhou, Peng Feng. Full text of the open access paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.02.005. For more information about Engineering, visit the website at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/engineering.

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