Zero-span tensile model for evaluating cracking behaviour of SHCC for RC flexural strengthening

Strain hardening cementitious composites (SHCCs) have obvious advantages when used to strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) structures – high tensile and compressive strengths, as well as large tensile strain in uniaxial tensile behaviour. However, when used for flexural strengthening of RC members, the ductility of SHCC is reduced and the cracking behaviour of the SHCC strengthening layer varies with different layer thicknesses. In this paper, a zero-span tensile model using a fictitious material is proposed to assess the cracking behaviour of SHCC used for RC flexural strengthening, considering the localised behaviour of the SHCC on the cracked RC substrate member. In the model, the crack in the RC substrate member is represented by an artificial crack formed by two areas of fictitious material. The proposed model can evaluate the cracking behaviour of SHCC layers of varying thickness used for flexural strengthening of RC members.