Experimental Test for Characterizing the Tensile Behavior of Fiber Reinforced Concretes (FRCs): Uniaxial Tensile Test Versus Bending Test

This paper presents a critical analysis of the main types of tensile test related to the determination of the tensile behavior of FRCs. This critical analysis clearly demonstrates that the bending test contributes to overestimate the FRCs mechanical performance when the cracks opening is related to the service limit state of a structure. The principal conclusion is that only uniaxial tensile tests are relevant for the intended objective. Two types of uniaxial tests are considered in relation with different connections between the specimen and the test machine: gripping and bonding connections. Some technical solutions related to each connection are proposed to perform relevant tests.