Investigation of multiple cracking behavior of cement-based fiber composites by digital image correlation method

Abstract

Digital image correlation (DIC) is a mathematically based non-contact deformation measurement technique. Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) exhibit steady state multiple-cracking behavior unlike conventional fiber reinforced composites. Analysis of this stable multiple cracking behavior is quite important in terms of evaluating the mechanical and durability performance of the composite. In this study, DIC's application areas on deformation measurements of engineering materials are presented with a detailed literature review. Studies on the analysis of the multiple cracking behavior of ECC have been researched and the availability of the DIC method experimentally investigated for this purpose. In this context, dog-bone shaped tensile specimens were produced by using high tenacity polypropylene fibers (HTPP-ECC). The deformations of the composites under tensile loading were recorded with 4 conventional deformation gauges (LVDT-Linear variable differential transformer) and a DIC based camera system. The usability of DIC technique in the investigation of the multiple cracking behavior of composites was investigated by comparing the data obtained by LVDT and DIC methods. In conclusion, DIC has close results with LVDTs in terms of deformation measurement in ECCs and has superiority than traditional methods with the advantage of crack analysis. 2019 © Gazi Universitesi Muhendislik-Mimarlik. All Rights Reserved.