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To contribute to the identification of the parameters influencing the behavior of textile-reinforced concrete (TRC), the purpose of this paper is to investigate the flexural behavior of TRC-based plates under four-point bending notably designed in the context of sustainable development and the substitution of mortar components with natural and abundant materials.

An extensive experimental campaign was focused about two main parameters. The first one emphases the textile reinforcements, such as the number of layers, the nature and the textile mesh size. In the second step, the composition of the mortar matrix was explored through the use of dune sand as a substitute of the river one.

Test results in terms of load-displacement response and failure patterns were highlighted, discussed and confronted to literature ones. As key findings, an increase of the load-bearing capacity and ductility, comparable to the use of an industrially produced second textile layer was recorded with the use of dune sand in the mortar mix design. The designed ecofriendly samples with economic concerns denote the significance of obtained outcomes in this research study.

The novelty of the present work was to valorize the use of natural dune sand to design new TRC samples to respond to the environmental and economical requirements. The obtained values provide an improved textiles–matrix interface performance compared to classical TRC samples issued from the literature.

The purpose of this study is experimental research of the mechanical behavior of slab reinforced by cork composite patch submitted to an eccentric progressive compressive load applied to on impact rectangle of dimensions 28 × 23 cm². An analytical model and numerical modeling by finite elements are performed. This study is motivated by the evaluation of the effectiveness of this type of partial reinforcement to improve strength and ductility. The results are given by load-displacement curves, tensile damages cartography and ultimate strength histogram.

In experimental protocol, the following two parameters have been considered: the dimensions of the patch and the eccentricity of the load. The sections of the patches are calculated so that the ratio (XP/YP) patch is proportional to the ratio (LD/lD), with a step of 6 cm longitudinally and 4 cm transversely. Several dimensions patches are considered: (6 × 4) cm², (12 × 8) cm² and (18 × 12) cm². The eccentric punching loading test was performed with an eccentricity of the load (1/3) L’ and (2/3) L’ compared to the center of gravity of the slab. Taking into account the eccentricity of the load in estimating the rupture strength, the equations are developed. Thus, numerical simulations are carried, to extract tensile damages cartography.

The results show that the rupture begins with the appearance of cracks in the unreinforced area. For an eccentricity of 1/3L’, the best strength/section ratio is obtained for patch (12 × 8) cm², whereas for an eccentricity de 2/3L’, the patch (6 × 4) cm² gives a better resistance. The results highlight the influence of the composite on the ultimate load. The force-displacement relations are little modified in the elastic phase. The experimental results have been compared with the theoretical models showing a good correlation.

The strength and ductility are depended on the dimensions of the patch and the eccentricity of the load. The use of a patch to cover the most stressed area, in the event of an eccentric axial load is a very economical solution compared to the total reinforcement. The damage field shows that the evolution of cracks depends on dimensions and the position of the patch. Indeed, the eccentricity of the vertical load induces an additional bending moment that will influence the fracture surface. The rupture load and ultimate displacement increase with the surface of the patch.