Optimization and design of carbon fabric‐reinforced cementitious matrix composites

Interest in carbon fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (C-FRCM) composites as structural strengthening materials for reinforced concrete structures has recently increased. In such applications, the mechanical properties of C-FRCM composites are the key to unlocking the corresponding strengthening effects. Therefore, this study explores different optimization approaches to improve the loading behaviors of C-FRCM composites, such as different carbon fabric contents in the cementitious matrix and different surface treatments of the carbon fiber meshes. Then, a series of tensile tests are carried out to evaluate the performance of the modified C-FRCM composites. Furthermore, experimental results of other FRCM composites are collected from the literature to create a larger data pool for analysis. Finally, two existing constitutive models for FRCM composites — the Aveston-Cooper-Kelly (ACK) model and the AC434 model — are compared against these experimental data.

Key words: C-FRCM; carbon fiber mesh; constitutive models; tensile tests