ABSTRACT
In FRC composites, the major role played by the fibres occurs in the post-cracking zone, in which the fibres bridge across the cracked matrix. In a well-designed composite the fibres can serve two functions in this zone:
They may increase the strength of the composite over that of the matrix, by providing a means of transferring stresses and loads across cracks. This implies an ascending stress-strain curve after first cracking, and this behaviour is referred to as strain hardening.
