Incorporation superabsorbent polymer (SAP) particles as controlling pre-existing flaws to improve the performance of engineered cementitious composites (ECC)

This paper concerns a new concept for introducing superabsorbent polymer (SAP) particles as pre-existing flaws into matrix to improve tensile property, flexural property, drying shrinkage and restrained shrinkage of engineered cementitious composites (ECC). The experimental results show that all ECC mixtures exhibit excellent ductility, more than 1.5%. Incorporating SAP particles in ECC matrix can apparently improve tensile strain capacity and toughness of ECC specimens. Compared to control specimens, tensile capacity and deflection of ECC with SAP particles can increase 92% and 77%, respectively. Moreover, SAP particles have an apparent effect on ECC with 50% fly ash (FA) compared with ECC with 70% FA. Meanwhile, introducing SAP in matrix is effective in reducing drying shrinkage and restrained shrinkage of ECC specimens, due to water-entrained capacity of SAP particles. However, SAP particles can reduce compressive strength of 5–15% compared to control specimens. In addition, increasing FA content can also increase tensile capacity and decrease drying shrinkage and restrained shrinkage of ECC specimens.