IMPACT BEHAVIOR OF POLYVINYL ALCOHOL FIBER REINFORCED CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITES BEAMS

The paper presents results of an investigation conducted to study the impact resistance of polyvinyl alcohol fiber reinforced cementitious composite (PVA-FRCC) beams containing silica fume and fly ash. PVA-FRCC beam specimens of size 100 × 100 × 400 mm were tested under impact loading. The specimen incorporated four different volume fractions i.e. 0, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% of corrugated PVA fibers. Silica fume and fly ash were added for the specimens containing PVA fibers volume fraction of 2.0%. The drop-weight type impact tests were conducted on the test specimens and the number of blows of the hammer required to induce first visible crack and ultimate failure of the specimen were recorded. The results are presented in terms of number of blows required, impact ductility as well as impact energy at first crack and ultimate failure. It has been observed that specimen containing 2.0% PVA fibers gave the best performance under impact loading, and that impact resistance was improved after silica fume and fly ash were added.