Seismic Behavior of Engineered Cementitious Composites
Summary
Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) are a class of high-performance, fibre-reinforced materials distinguished by their strain-hardening behaviour and capacity to develop multiple fine cracks under tensile loading. Under seismic excitation, these composites exhibit superior ductility, enhanced energy dissipation and stable hysteresis loops compared with conventional reinforced concrete. ECC’s tight crack widths and robust fibre-bridging mechanisms reduce stiffness degradation and delay the onset of brittle failure, thereby improving the resilience of structural elements such as columns, beams and bridge piers. The unique micromechanical interactions between fibres and matrix confer significant post-peak toughness and provide a self-limiting crack width, which aids in corrosion control and longevity in hostile environments. Globally, ECC is being adopted in earthquake-prone regions to retrofit existing structures and to design new systems with optimised plastic-hinge regions, contributing to safer, more sustainable infrastructure.
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Seismic Behavior of Engineered Cementitious Composites publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in seismic behavior of engineered cementitious composites across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC): A ductile fibre-reinforced cement matrix exhibiting strain-hardening and multiple-fine-cracking under tension.
Hysteresis behaviour: The load-deformation response of a material or element under cyclic loading, indicative of energy dissipation.
Ductility: The ability of a structural component to undergo large deformations beyond yield without significant loss of strength.
Energy dissipation: The capacity of a material or structural system to absorb and dissipate seismic energy through inelastic deformations.
Plastic hinge: A region in a structural member where inelastic rotations concentrate under extreme loading, allowing controlled energy dissipation.
References
- Seismic Performance of Corroded ECC-GFRP Spiral-Confined Reinforced-Concrete Column. Polymers (2024).
- Improving concrete structures with engineered cementitious composites and kevlar sheets: an affordable retrofitting solution for earthquake resistance. Materials Research Express (2024).
- Seismic Performance of Bridge Piers Constructed with PP-ECC at Potential Plastic Hinge Regions. Materials (2020).
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