Toughness Tests on Mix-Designed HRC and HSFRC Specimens Performed with Volcanic Aggregate

Numerous investigations provide detailed information on the mechanical properties of HRC and HSFRC, but they don’t cover the wide range of responses available. With this study we try to widen the knowhow in this field by giving a contribute in understanding the influence of the mineralogical differences in the aggregate types on the behavior of HRC or HSFRC. The current paper deals with the shape of stress-strain curve in tension of both an HSC and HSFRC obtained by an appropriate mixture proportion packing by volcanic aggregates from the quarries of Eastern Sicily. The HSFRC mixtures consider different volume fractions of fibers equal to 0% (HRC), 0.5% and 2% (HSFRC). Straight Polivinyllialcohol (PVA) and hooked-end steel fibers were the two types of fibers employed in the study. Toughness tests were carried out on specimens performed according to UNI codes. The HSFRC (0.5%) mixtures did not show great differences in mechanical performance by any variation of the fiber type (steel or PVA).