Experimental and theoretical behavior of cementitious plates containing ethylene vinyl acetate reinforced with glass woven fabric under impact load

The paper is an analysis of the experimental and theoretical behavior of cementitious plate containing waste ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) with and without reinforcement with glass fiber woven fabric (GFRP) under low-velocity impact load effect. Cementitious plates of 150 mm × 150 mm size and three different thicknesses (15 mm, 30 mm, 50 mm) are produced by replacing the cement mixture aggregate with EVA at 0%, 18%, 32%, 45%, and 56% by volume of aggregate. Then, the cementitious plates are coated with GFRP using vacuum infusion method. The effect of EVA and GRFP coatings on the dynamic impact behavior of cementitious plates is investigated by applying a low-velocity impact test on the produced cementitious plates with an impactor of 18 mm diameter, 10.50 kg weight, and 500 mm height. The data obtained from the experimental results are analyzed based on the mass-plate theory, lightweight (LWC) and normal weight (NWC) concrete, and the consistency of the theoretical results with the experimental results is compared. It has been determined that the use of NWC is more suitable for cementitious plates with an EVA replacement rate in the range of 0–32%, while the use of LWC offers more optimum results if the EVA ratio is in the range of 32–56%. Especially when the EVA displacement exceeds 32%, it causes excessive void formation in the structure, resulting in a reduction in the dynamic impact loads of cementitious plates. GFRP coating with vacuum infusion method is not recommended for cementitious plate structures when the EVA replacement rate exceeds 32% by volume of aggregate.