The aim of the current project is to carry out the FEA framework for predicting the flexural strength of notched foam concrete tested under three-point bending following the conducted experimental set-up. The investigated testing series have a variation of notch size opening in the foamed concrete beam. The Tractionseparation relationship was used as a constitutive model to incorporate independent material properties and used in the modelling framework. Modelling techniques of 2D XFEM and CZM were adopted and later expanded to 3D XFEM models. Good agreement was found between the predicted structure response and experimental observation for all the investigated models. Crack was initiated at the crack tip and propagated to the beam edge under the applied load. It was found that the average discrepancies below 20% were found within XFEM techniques. Less agreement was found using the CZM models, partly due to the simplification of the adopted failure path. The modelling framework implemented in this project is potentially used as a predictive tool in estimating the flexural strength of the concrete beam with notches.
The incorporations of synthetic fibers have raised worrying concerns, so an alternative material which is inexpensive and ecological resources is proposed. Kenaf fiber has high tensile modulus and elongation at break and potentially to be used as reinforcing fibers in FRP composites to replace synthetic fibers. This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties (unnotched strength, elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, shear modulus and fracture energy) of woven fabric kenaf fiber-reinforced polymer (KFRP) testing coupons (notched and unnotched), usually employed within numerical modelling. A quasi-static tensile test was performed to investigate the variations of KFRP coupons, such as woven architecture types and KFRP thickness with cross-ply arrangements. Sikadur-31 (epoxy resin) was used as a matrix in KFRP coupons. As kenaf volume fractions and KFRP coupon thickness increased, mechanical properties of KFRP coupons were substantially improved.
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