Understanding shear-resisting mechanism in reinforced engineered cementitious composite (ECC) beams using distributed strain measurements
Dawei Gu (Southeast University, TU Delft - Concrete Structures)
Jinlong Pan (Southeast University)
M Lukovic (TU Delft - Concrete Structures)
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Abstract
Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) has been effectively applied in shear-critical structures due to its high ductility under tension and fiber bridging effect to resist crack opening and sliding. This study employed a novel monitoring system incorporating distributed strain gauges to investigate the shear resistance mechanism in reinforced ECC beams. The system enabled the measurement of full-length strain distribution along the stirrups and longitudinal reinforcement. By capturing stirrup strains precisely along the critical shear cracking path, the shear contributions from transverse reinforcement (Vs) and ECC matrix (Vc) could be accurately quantified. A total of 20 reinforced ECC beams were tested under shear, and the role of governing parameters (e.g., shear span-to-depth ratio, stirrup and longitudinal reinforcement ratio) was analysed. Based on the observed shear failure mechanism, a modified truss-strut model and a simplified equation for predicting shear strength are proposed for the shear design of reinforced ECC beams.