Probabilistic-based investigation on tensile behavior of engineered cementitious composites (ECC): A macro-scale stochastic model

Micromechanics-based models are extensively used to simulate the tensile behavior of engineered cementitious composites (ECC). However, obtaining the micromechanical parameters in these models requires complicated experiments. This study proposes a macro-scale stochastic model to straightforwardly simulate the tensile behavior of ECC based on the strength criterion of strain-hardening. Specifically, the model simulates the multiple cracking of ECC as a stochastic process, in which the strength criterion is used to determine the formation of a crack. The failure probability distribution of the cracks is calculated by using statistical parameters of cracking strength and fiber bridging strength. Afterward, the crack number and tensile strain capacity of ECC are derived from the expectation of the failure probability distribution. Results show that the model predicts the crack number and tensile strain capacity of ECC with errors lower than 9.4% and 14.9%, respectively. Parametric analysis reveals that the crack number increases with the increasing difference value between cracking strength and fiber bridging strength. The stochastic model provides a comprehensive understanding on the multiple cracking of strain-hardening materials.