Testing Procedures for the Uniaxial Tensile Characterization of Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix Composites

Fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites made of dry-fiber fabric embedded in an inorganic matrix are advanced cement-based materials designed for retrofitting masonry or concrete structures. Characterization of the tensile behavior of FRCM composites provides the parameters needed for the design of the structural reinforcement and has given rise to numerous research studies on the aspects that influence its mechanical properties. To obtain the tensile behavior characteristics of this composite under different boundary conditions, two test setups were investigated. A clevis grip (pin action) was used to reproduce field boundary conditions from typical installation and to obtain design parameters. A clamping grip was used to obtain a complete characterization of the composite by inducing a tensile failure of each constituent material. Several FRCM systems made with different fabrics were used for the investigation: polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO), carbon (C), and glass (G), plus carbon and glass with a special protective coating. This paper offers a critical analysis of the experimental results and provides recommendations for the tensile characterization of FRCM materials.