Title:
Toughness-Durability of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete Systems
Author(s):
S. P. Shah, D. Ludirdja, J. I. Daniel, and B. Mobasher
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
85
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
352-360
Keywords:
accelerated tests; age; alkalies; concrete panels; ductility; durability; fiber reinforced concretes; glass fibers; portland cements; strength; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/2247
Date:
9/1/1988
Abstract:
Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels are increasingly being used by the precast industry for cladding panels of new construction and for retrofit projects (1987 volume: 100 million dollars). The widespread development of GFRC has resulted from the development of alkali-resistant glass fibers that have an improved resistance to the alkaline environment that exists in portland cement-based matrices. In spite of the improved alkali resistance, long-term weathering tests reveal that GFRC panels may exhibit reduced tensile strength and a loss of ductility with aging. The strength reduction is currently explicitly accounted for in design recommendations. The significantly reduced strain capacity is not always properly accounted for. This is partly because sufficient information on long-term ductility is not available, and it is difficult to accurately measure and rationally define ductility. It is likely that for many applications of GFRC, their ductility is at least as important as strength (e.g., connections, differential movements) in determining their service lives. This review paper addresses some aspects of long-term ductility of GFRC systems.