Restrained shrinkage cracking in fiber reinforced concrete: A novel test technique

A novel experimental technique was developed to assess the cracking potential of cement-based materials when used as a bonded overlay. Specimens were cast directly on to a substrate and the assembly was subjected to a drying environment to induce cracking. Lengths and widths of the resulting cracks in the overlay were monitored as a function of time. The use of fibers was found to be very effective not only in reducing the widths of the shrinkage cracks but also in allowing multiple cracking to occur. Interestingly, these two phenomena occurred only up to a fiber volume fraction of 0.5%; at 1% by volume of fibers, only minimal cracking was seen to occur even under a particularly severe environment.