Energy evolution characteristics of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) under tensile and compressive loading

To more truly reflect the failure law of engineered cementitious composites (ECC), this research investigates the multiple cracking and failure process of ECC from the perspective of energy and reveals the energy evolution characteristics of this process. The mechanical properties and energy evolution characteristics of ECC under different water-binder ratios were studied by uniaxial compression test. The effects of water-binder ratios, fiber volume fractions, and fiber aspect ratio on the tensile properties, energy evolution characteristics, and fracture energy of ECC were systematically investigated. It was found that the increase in the water-binder ratios decreases the compressive strength and elastic strain energy release rate, but increases the dissipated energy. The increase of fiber volume fraction and fiber aspect ratio can effectively improve the tensile properties, elastic strain energy, dissipated energy, and fracture energy. The abrupt change in the elastic energy consumption ratio can be used as a criterion for ECC failure.