ABSTRACT
When evaluating the service life of FRC-materials, the development of fracture energy, measured in 3-point bending, is a proper and simple method.
Five different fibre reinforced composites have been examined covering cement and concrete matrices reinforced with steel, polypropylene, AR-glass and cellulose fibres. The materials have been exposed to different laboratory climates (i.e. a special weather simulator and stable climate) and natural weathering in Denmark.
The development of fracture energy is very much dependent on the ageing and degradation mechanisms in action. Steel and polypropylene FRC show tendencies to an increase in fracture energy with age the first years of the service life of the materials.
AR-glass FRC shows decrease in fracture energy with age despite the fact that polymer modification of matrix has been used to prevent embrittlement of the composite. Autoclaved cellulose fibre reinforced cement also show tendencies to decrease in fracture energy due to ageing but with different degradation rate when compared with AR-GFRC.
