Effect of water-to-binder ratio and fly ash content on the mechanical and deformation properties of bendable concrete

Abstract

To investigate the effect of water-to-binder ratio and fly ash content on the properties of bendable concrete, we prepared four samples of different strength grades with water-to-binder ratios of 0.25 and 0.30 and fly ash contents of 60% and 80%. The effects of water-to-binder ratio and fly ash content on the compressive strength, flexural strength, elastic modulus, fracture toughness, and uniaxial tensile deformation of the samples were investigated. The results show that the strength of bendable concrete can be varied by varying the water-to-binder ratio and fly ash content. Water-to-binder ratio and fly ash content showed almost the same effect on fracture toughness, whereas fly ash content exhibited a greater effect on elastic modulus. With an increase in water-to-binder ratio and fly ash content of concrete, the initial crack stress and tensile strength decreased and the ultimate tensile strain increased, but the change of water-to-binder ratio showed a more significant effect on the ultimate tensile strain.