Experimental Study on Impact Resistance of PVA Fiber Reinforced Cement-Based Composite

PVA fiber reinforced cement-based composite is a new high-performance cement-based composite material, which usually manufactured with PVA short fibers (does not exceed 2.5% vol.) and cement-based matrix. It has a significant strain-hardening characteristic and excellent crack controlling ability. Its ultimate tensile strain is up to 3% and crack width is not exceed 100μm. PVA fiber reinforced cement-based composite can be utilized to fabricated high energy absorption opponents, such as protective shield, seismic joint, impact-resistant site, etc. In this paper, the basic mechanical properties of PVA fiber reinforced cement-based composite has been tested and verified first. Then the impact resistance of PVA reinforced cement-based composite has been investigated via drop weight impact test, and compared with ones of plain concrete and steel fiber reinforced concrete with the same strength grade. Through analyzing the test results, it is concluded that PVA reinforced cement-based composite’s impact energy absorption is 48 times than plain concrete, and 9 times than steel fiber reinforced concrete respectively. The impact numbers of PVA reinforced cement-based composite is slightly lower than steel fiber reinforced concrete, but its impact absorption energy after initial cracking is 15 times than steel fiber reinforced concrete. In conclusion, PVA reinforced cement-based composite is an excellent impact material.