Failure process of steel–polypropylene hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete based on numerical simulations

Abstract In this work, we studied the failure mechanism of steel–polypropylene hybrid fiber reinforced concrete (HFRC) at the mesolevel. The uniaxial tensile test of HFRC was simulated using ABAQUS finite element analysis software. Then, the relationship between the mesoscale failure process and the mechanical properties was analyzed based on the simulation results. The results showed that the cracks first appeared in the interfacial transition zone and then gradually propagated into the mortar elements and intersected with adjacent cracks, forming major macroscopic cracks. According to the crack evolution process, the incorporation of steel fibers and polypropylene fibers changed the concrete crack expansion paths and served to inhibit crack expansion. Furthermore, the increase in the hybrid fiber volume had a positive effect on the mechanical properties, and the steel fibers dominated in providing reinforcement compared to the polypropylene fibers.