Evaluating the behaviour of functionally graded reinforced concrete without transverse reinforcement using distributed sensing

Abstract

Functionally graded concrete (FGC) can lower cement content and CO2 emissions. However, the behaviour of FGC is not fully understood. To examine behaviour at concrete interfaces as well as global behaviour, horizontally and vertically layered FGC (HLFGC, VLFGC) and control beams, all without transverse reinforcement, were tested in three-point bending. Distributed sensing measured reinforcement strains, cracking behaviour, and load–deflection behaviour. Using fibre reinforced concrete increased the load carrying capacity of VLFGC and decreased the number of cracks and the cracking load for HLFGC. Cracking at interfaces produced lower cracking strengths in VLFGC beams and brittle failures in some HLFGC beams.