Is it possible to enhance the tensile strength of concrete up to levels of compressive strength values? If yes, how?
Addition of steel fibers increases the tensile capacity of plain concrete. However the concrete is not plain at all. It become fiber reinforced concrete. By addition of fiber reinforcement of about 1% you can get 100% more tensile capacity for the concretes having compressive strength values between 40-70 MPa. (Enhanced tensile strength capacities are about 8-10 MPa)
Moreover, in recent years development of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) indicated that a cement based composite with high level of toughness, ductility, and tensile strength can be benefited for construction industry.
Addition of steel fibers increases the tensile capacity of plain concrete. However the concrete is not plain at all. It become fiber reinforced concrete. By addition of fiber reinforcement of about 1% you can get 100% more tensile capacity for the concretes having compressive strength values between 40-70 MPa. (Enhanced tensile strength capacities are about 8-10 MPa)
Moreover, in recent years development of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) indicated that a cement based composite with high level of toughness, ductility, and tensile strength can be benefited for construction industry.