Development of Precast High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Cement Composite Coupling Beams for Earthquake-Resistant Wall Systems

Results from an experimental program on the use of high-performance fiber reinforced cement composite (HPFRCC) coupling beams indicate that these advanced composites are effective in increasing shear strength, displacement capacity and damage tolerance in coupling beams are subjected to displacement reversals. In addition, HPFRCCs were effective in confining the diagonal reinforcing bars before damage localization. For the particular case of Torex HPFRCC, this confinement continued to be effective even after fiber pullout occurred, allowing the total elimination of transverse reinforcement around the diagonal reinforcement. An existing damage index model was modified and evaluated for damage assessment of HPFRCC coupling beams. The damage index model was capable of predicting the observed trend in damage progress before and after fiber pullout, demonstrating its potential for implementation in nonlinear analysis and health monitoring of a structural system that features HPFRCC members.