Using inverse analysis to determine the residual tensile strength of SFRM

Abstract

The residual tensile strength of steel fiber reinforced mortar (SFRM) was determined by inverse analysis by using load versus crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) curve from notched beam tests. Five series of SFRM with different volume fractions were tested. The load-CMOD curve was numerically obtained by using finite element method, then the elastic modulus and residual tensile strength of SFRM were determined by using inverse analysis. It was shown that the simulated elastic modulus and load-CMOD curve were both in good agreement with experimental results. Furthermore, it was found that the residual tensile strength of SFRM was approximately proportional to the volume fraction of steel fibers.