Toughness of fibre reinforced hydraulic lime mortar. Part-1: Quasi-static response

The seismic rehabilitation of historical masonry buildings necessitates a quantitative understanding of the repointing mortar under variable strain rates. In Part-1 of this paper, plain and fibre reinforced hydraulic lime mortar specimens were examined under compression, flexure and direct shear to evaluate the post-crack response under quasi-static loading. It was seen that although the fibres enhance the flexural toughness of hydraulic lime mortar, the material is weakest in Mode I fracture. In Part-2 of this paper, the authors describe the strain rate sensitivity of hydraulic lime mortar on the basis of impact testing of notched beams. The mixes were identical to those examined in Part-1, and the dynamic response was evaluated using a drop-weight impact machine for strain rates in the range of 10⁻⁶ to 10 s⁻¹. The authors found that compared to fibre reinforced Portland cement-based mortar and concrete, the flexural response of hydraulic lime mortar is more sensitive to strain rate.     

Stress rate sensitivity of stone masonry units bound with fibre reinforced hydraulic lime mortar

It is well established that most construction materials behave differently under static and dynamic loading. However, the literature on the time-dependent response of masonry joints is scarce, particularly with regard to the bond behaviour in historical stone masonry. This paper describes the dynamic response of sandstone masonry units bound with hydraulic lime mortars (HLMs). A drop weight impact machine was used to generate stress rates up to 10⁷ kPa/s. The dynamic impact factor and stress rate sensitivity were evaluated for the flexural strength of the sandstone, mortar and for the bond strength of the unit and further, the pattern of failure was noted in the units for each mortar mix and loading rate. Based on a related study on the fracture toughness of HLM, polypropylene micro-fibres were incorporated at 0, 0.25 and 0.5% volume fraction into the mortar. Results show that the flexural bond strength was more sensitive to stress rate than the flexural strength of the mortar, at similar rates of loading. Further, the stress rate sensitivity of the bond strength decreased with an increase in the fibre content. Also, whereas the mode of failure in the masonry units under quasi-static loading was through fracture at the mortar-block interface, the failure plane transferred to within the mortar under dynamic loading, particularly in the presence of fibre reinforcement.     

Studies on the durability of natural fibres and the effect of corroded fibres on the strength of mortar

This paper presents the results of the variation in chemical composition and tensile strength of coir, sisal, jute and Hibiscus cannabinus fibres, when they are subjected to alternate wetting and drying and continuous immersion for 60 days in three mediums (water, saturated lime and sodium hydroxide). Compressive and flexural strengths of cement mortar (1:3) specimens reinforced with dry and corroded fibres were determined after 28 days of normal curing. From the results it is observed that there is substantial reduction in the salient chemical composition of all the four fibres, after exposure in the various mediums. Coir fibres are found to retain higher percentages of their initial strength than all other fibres, after the specified period of exposure in the various mediums. The compressive and flexural strengths of all natural fibre reinforced mortar specimens using corroded fibres are less than the strength of the reference mortar (i.e. without fibres) and fibre reinforced mortar specimens reinforced with dry natural fibres.     

Dynamic properties of pultruded natural fibre reinforced composites using Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar technique

The paper presents results on dynamic mechanical properties of jute, and kenaf fibre reinforced composites at various strain rates using compression Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar technique. The stress–strain curves for both pultruded natural fibre reinforced composites at strain rates of nearly 1400 s⁻¹ are illustrated and then compared with statically determines stress–strain curve (1.0 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹). Results show that the strain rate does affect the value of dynamic compressive properties of both pultruded natural fibre composites. Higher dynamic compression modulus and 2.5% flow stress were recorded for higher strain rates as compared to lower strain rate over the range of strain rates investigated. Under dynamic loading, jute fibre reinforced composites recorded the highest value of dynamic response in terms of compression modulus, 2.5% flow stress and compressive strength than that of kenaf fibre reinforced composites. In addition, kenaf fibre reinforced composites is more severely damaged as compared to jute fibre reinforced composites for all tested strain rate.     

Impact response of lightweight mortars containing expanded perlite

This paper describes the mechanical response of lightweight mortars subjected to impact loading in flexure. Expanded perlite aggregate with a bulk density of 64 kg/m³ was used at between 0 and 8 times by volume of Portland cement to yield a range of mortars with density between 1000 and 2000 kg/m³. Some specimens were reinforced with a polypropylene microfibre at 0.1% volume fraction and the dynamic fracture toughness was evaluated by means of an instrumented drop-weight impact system. Companion tests were carried out in compression under quasi-static loading to standardise the mixes. The compressive strength and elastic modulus scale as the cube of the relative density, defined as the ratio of the density of the mortar to that of Portland cement paste. Whereas the flexural strength and fracture toughness were both linearly proportional to the relative density of the mortar under quasi-static loading, there was an increase in their sensitivity to relative density at higher loading rates. Contrary to what is seen in regular concrete, fibre reinforcement led to an increase in the stress-rate sensitivity of flexural strength in lightweight mortars. For the same impact velocity, the stress-rates experienced by a specimen was strongly influenced by its density. While the stress-rate sensitivity of flexural strength dropped with a decrease in the mix density, that of the fracture toughness was consistently higher for the lighter mixes.     

Creep and creep-fatigue behaviour of continuous fibre reinforced glass-ceramic matrix Composites

The flexural creep and creep strain recovery behaviour during creep-fatigue tests of a cross-ply SiC fibre reinforced Barium Magnesium Aluminosilicate glass-ceramic matrix composite was investigated at 1100°C in air. Only heat-treated samples (1 h at 1100°C) were tested. Stress levels of 90, 105 and 120 MPa were examined to produce low strains (?0.4”?). A continuously decreasing creep strain rate with values between 1.6 × 10^?6 s^?1 to 4.7 × 10^?8s^?i at 120 MPa was observed with no steady-state regime. Extensive viscous strain recovery was found upon the unloading period during the short-duration cyclic creep (creep-fatigue) experiments. The creep strain recovery was quantified using strain recovery ratios. These ratios showed a slight dependence on the stress and cyclic loading frequencies investigated. The crept composites retained their ?graceful”? fracture behaviour after testing indicating that no (or limited) damage in the matrix was induced during creep and creep-fatigue loading.     

Dynamic enhancement of blast-resistant ultra high performance fibre-reinforced concrete under flexural and shear loading

Two independent projects are described in which drop-hammer techniques are used to investigate the dynamic increase factor (DIF) under both flexural and shear high-speed loading of a new ultra high performance fibre reinforced blast-resistant concrete. The results from both studies correlate well. The results show that a DIF of the flexural tensile strength rising from 1.0 at 1 s⁻¹ on a slope of 1/3 on a log (strain rate) versus log (DIF) plot can be used for design purposes. The results also show that no DIF should be used to increase the shear strength at high loading rates.     

Analysis of the strain-rate behavior of a basalt fiber reinforced natural hydraulic mortar

Fiber reinforced inorganic materials, such as concrete or mortars are expected to present good mechanical properties under high dynamic loading conditions, such as those induced by earthquakes. Furthermore, basalt fibers, which are being increasingly investigated in structural applications, are also expected to present good performance under high strain-rate conditions.This paper presents the results of a dynamic characterization of a basalt fiber reinforced natural hydraulic mortar, in order to verify its capability to withstand high dynamic loading conditions. In particular, the reinforced mortar was morphologically characterized by SEM and mercury intrusion porosimetry; then, quasi-static flexural and tensile tests were conducted. Finally, dynamic tensile failure tests were carried out at medium and high strain-rates, using a Hydropneumatic machine and a Modified Hopkinson bar apparatus, respectively. The results were elaborated to derive Dynamic Increase Factors for the tensile strength.The fiber addition leads to a bridge action effect, and consequently to a more ductile behavior and higher toughness of the fiber reinforced mortar compared to a plain mortar. In addition, the fiber reinforced mortar appears to be highly strain-rate sensitive, as the tensile strength DIF increased up to 5.1, for a high strain-rate of about 10² s⁻¹.     

High Strain Rate Compressive Tests on Wood

Abstract: The penetrating split Hopkinson pressure bar was used to study the response of dry maple wood under high strain rate impact load. Using longer bar and shorter specimens utilised the assumption of one‐dimensional stress waves travelling along the bars and specimen because the experiment fulfilled the ratio of diameter to length of bars condition in Kolsky bar experiments. The stress–strain relationships and behaviour of the fibre structure materials’ failure were investigated during the compressive dynamic tests at strain rates between 950¹ and 2000 s^?1. The mechanics of dynamic failure was studied and it was confirmed that deformation of specimen is a linear function of energy absorption by specimens.     

Dynamic behavior of concrete at high strain rates and pressures: I. experimental characterization

Understanding the behavior of concrete and mortar at very high strain rates is of critical importance in a range of applications. Under highly dynamic conditions, the strain-rate dependence of material response and high levels of hydrostatic pressure cause the material behavior to be significantly different from what is observed under quasistatic conditions. The behavior of concrete and mortar at strain rates of the order of 10⁴ s⁻¹ and pressures up to 1.5 GPa are studied experimentally. The mortar analyzed has the same composition and processing conditions as the matrix phase in the concrete, allowing the effect of concrete microstructure to be delineated. The focus is on the effects of loading rate, hydrostatic pressure and microstructural heterogeneity on the load-carrying capacities of the materials. This experimental investigation uses split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) and plate impact to achieve a range of loading rate and hydrostatic pressure. The SHPB experiments involve strain rates between 250 and 1700 s⁻¹ without lateral confinement and the plate impact experiments subject the materials to deformation at strain rates of the order of 10⁴ s⁻¹ with confining pressures of 1–1.5 GPa. Experiments indicate that the load-carrying capacities of the concrete and mortar increase significantly with strain rate and hydrostatic pressure. The compressive flow stress of mortar at a strain rate of 1700 s⁻¹ is approximately four times its quasistatic strength. Under the conditions of plate impact involving impact velocities of approximately 330 ms⁻¹, the average flow stress is 1.7 GPa for the concrete and 1.3 GPa for the mortar. In contrast, the corresponding unconfined quasistatic compressive strengths are only 30 and 46 MPa, respectively. Due to the composite microstructure of concrete, deformation and stresses are nonuniform in the specimens. The effects of material inhomogeneity on the measurements during the impact experiments are analyzed using a four-beam VISAR laser interferometer system.     

Mechanical behaviour of glass and carbon fibre reinforced composites at varying strain rates

The choice of composite materials as a substitute for metallic materials in technological applications is becoming more pronounced especially due to the great weight savings these materials offer. In many of these practical situations, the structures are prone to high impact loads. Material and structural response vary significantly under impact loading conditions as compared to quasi-static loading. The strain rate sensitivity of both carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) are studied by testing a single laminate configuration, viz. cross-ply [0°/90°] polymer matrix composites (PMC) at strain rates of 10⁻³ and 450 s⁻¹. The compressive material properties are determined by testing both laminate systems, viz. CFRP and GFRP at low to high strain rates. The laminates were fabricated from 48 layers of cross-ply carbon fibre and glass fibre epoxy. Dynamic test results were compared with static compression test carried out on specimens with the same dimensions. Preliminary compressive stress–strain vs. strain rates data obtained show that the dynamic material strength for GFRP increases with increasing strain rates. The strain to failure for both CFRP and GFRP is seen to decrease with increasing strain rate.     

Effect of strain rate and saturation on uniaxial dynamic compressive behaviours of mortar

The effect of moisture content on the compressive mechanical behaviours of cement mortar under different high strain rates is studied in this paper. The rapid impact testing, i.e. the strain rates of 80, 100, 150, 200 and 250 s^? 1 by Split Hopkinson pressure bar, on number of specimens with special water/cement ratio of 0.50 and saturations as 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, respectively, was executed. The dynamic compressive behaviours were analysed in terms of the maximum stresses, elastic modulus, critical strain at maximum stresses and ultimate strains at failure. Results indicated that similarity existed in the shape of strain–stress curves of mortars with different moisture subjected to different strain rates of impact loading, i.e. the upward section presented bilinear characteristics, while the descending stage was almost linear. As strain rate increases, the dynamic compressive strength, elastic modulus and critical strain at maximum stress increase which can be ascribed to the dynamic fracture effect and the microscope inertia effect. Besides, it was shown that desiccation provokes an increase in mortar strength and deformation behaviour of the studied mortar with different saturation caused by capillary depression and microcracking. Drying effect has to be considered in modelling of the coupling between desiccation and mechanical behaviour of the mortar. Finally, the multi-parametric statistical analysis of water content and strain rate on the mechanical behaviours of cement mortar subjected to dynamic loading is detailed.     

聚乙烯醇纤维增强偏高岭土-水硬石灰砂浆材料性能的研究

针对偏高岭土-水硬石灰砂浆材料抗拉强度低、极限延伸率小、性脆的问题,为了提高其韧性和稳定性,增强其抗裂能力,设计并制备了聚乙烯醇(PVA)纤维掺杂偏高岭土-水硬石灰砂浆材料,开展了PVA纤维不同掺量、不同长度下偏高岭土-水硬石灰砂浆材料收缩率、波速、抗压强度、抗折强度及劈裂抗拉强度的试验研究,通过扫描电镜观察分析了PVA纤维在偏高岭土-水硬石灰砂浆材料中的微观作用机理。结果表明:PVA纤维改变了偏高岭土-水硬石灰砂浆的收缩率和内部结构。试样的抗折强度和劈裂抗拉强度随着纤维增加而增大,抗压强度会在纤维长度一定时随着掺量的增多而降低。PVA纤维对砂浆材料整体性有明显改善,受压后仍能够保持着较好的原样性,纤维和砂浆基体之间产生了机械铆合作用,具有较好黏结性。     

Rate dependent deformation of carbon fibre reinforced Al–Li metal matrix composite

Abstract

The dynamic deformation characteristics and failure behaviour of laminated carbon fibre reinforced Al–Li metal matrix composite has been studied experimentally with the objective of investigating the dependence of mechanical properties on the applied strain rate and fibre volume fraction. A vacuum melting/casting process was used for manufacturing the tested composite. Impact testing was performed using a Saginomiya 100 metal forming machine and a compressive split Hopkinson bar over a strain rate range of 10^-1 s^-1 to 3×10³ s^-1. It is shown that the flow stress of the composite increases with strain rate and fibre volume fraction. The highest elongation to fracture values were found at low rate loading conditions, although a significant increase in ductility is obtained in the dynamic range. The composite appears to exhibit a lower rate of work hardening during dynamic deformation. Strain rate sensitivity and activation volume are strongly dependent on strain rate and fibre volume fraction. Fractographic analysis using scanning electron microscopy reveals that there is a distinct difference in the morphologies of the fractures, with corresponding different damage mechanisms, between specimens tested at low and high strain rates. Both strain rate and fibre volume fraction are important in controlling fibre fragment length and the density of the Al–Li debris. The relationships between mechanical response and fracture characteristics are also discussed.     

On the use of R-PET strips for the reinforcement of cement mortars

We study the alkali resistance and the flexural response of a cement-based mortar reinforced through polyethylene terephthalate (PET) strips obtained through hand cutting of ordinary post-consumer bottles. On considering 1% fiber volume ratio and different strip geometries, we show that the analyzed reinforcing strips owe remarkable alkali resistance and are able to markedly improve the toughness of the base material. Comparisons are established with the outcomes of a recent study on a similar reinforcement technique of a cement–lime mortar.     

Mechanical properties and size effects in lightweight mortars containing expanded perlite aggregate

The study presented here investigates the effect of density in cementitious mortar on its mechanical properties under quasi-static loading. The reduction in density was achieved through the addition of expanded perlite as a lightweight aggregate into cement paste by volume replacement of cement in the ratio from 0 to 8. This yielded a range of densities between 1000 and 2000 kg/m³. The compressive and flexural response of these mixes were determined for geometrically scaled specimens to study the size effect. Some mixes were reinforced with polymer microfibres and the Mode I fracture toughness parameters were evaluated through flexural testing of notched beams. When compared with a reference Portland cement paste, the compressive strength and elastic modulus scaled as the cube of the density, while the fracture toughness varied linearly with it. The study shows that the specimen size effect on compressive and flexural strength decreases with a drop in the density of the mix and also with fibre reinforcement. On the other hand, the specimen size effect on the critical crack mouth opening displacement was more pronounced at lower densities.     

Strength development and lime reaction in mortars for repairing historic masonries

In this research, restoration mortars with analogous chemical composition of binders, aggregates and mineral additions, as they derive from the study of historic mortars, were evaluated regarding the strength development and the lime reaction, up to 15 months of curing. For this purpose several mixtures were tested in laboratory regarding their chemical and mechanical characteristics. The obtained results show that most of them present a slow rate of chemical and mechanical evolution, with the exception of hydraulic lime mortar and mortar with lime putty–natural pozzolanic addition. The best mechanical behavior was observed in mortars with lime powder and lime powder–artificial pozzolanic addition. These materials present also a low ratio of compressive to flexural strength (f_c/f_f). Further investigations on these materials would determine the time where their chemical and mechanical characteristics become stable. Only at that time, it would be possible to compare the compatibility characteristics of the restoration mortars with those employed in the past.     

应变率和温度对耐碱玻璃纤维织物增强水泥基复合材料弯曲力学行为的影响

为研究不同应变率和温度下耐碱玻璃织物增强水泥基复合材料的弯曲力学行为,采用美特斯(MTS)万能试验机和INSTRON落锤冲击系统对其试样分别进行室温(25℃)下准静态三点弯曲(应变率为3.33×10-5 s-1)和不同应变率(4、8、12、16和18s-1)及温度(-50、0、25、50和100℃)下的动态三点弯曲试验,静态和动态三点弯曲试验采用一套弯曲夹具。同时考虑了增强织物层数对其弯曲力学性能的影响。试验结果表明:室温下,随应变率的增加,弯曲强度提高,弯曲峰值应变和韧性先减小后增大,弯曲模量先增大后减小;应变率为12s-1时,随着温度的升高,弯曲强度、弯曲模量和韧性整体上减小,弯曲峰值应变变化不明显;纤维织物为六层时,对混凝土的增韧效果较明显。应变率、温度和织物层数均能对试样的弯曲性能产生较大影响。     

Effects of directional grain structure on impact properties and dislocation substructure of 6061-T6 aluminium alloy

Abstract

The effects of the grain structure direction on the impact properties and dislocation substructure of 6061-T6 aluminium alloy are investigated under room temperature conditions and strain rates of 1×10³, 3×10³ and 5×10³ s^?1 using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar system. The impact tests are performed using specimens machined from rolled 6061-T6 plates in the longitudinal, transverse and through thickness directions respectively. The results show that for all specimens, the flow stress increases with increasing strain rate. Furthermore, for all strain rates, the highest flow stress occurs in the transverse specimen. For strain rates of 1×10³ and 3×10³ s^?1, the flow stress in the through thickness specimen is greater than that in the longitudinal specimen. However, at a strain rate of 5×10³ s^?1, the flow stress in the longitudinal specimen is higher than that in the through thickness specimen due to a greater dislocation multiplication rate. For all three grain structure directions, the strain rate sensitivity increases with increasing strain rate, but decreases with increasing true strain. The highest strain rate sensitivity is observed in the longitudinal specimen at strain rates of 3×10³ to 5×10³ s^?1. The dislocation density increases markedly with increasing strain rate. Moreover, the square root of the dislocation density varies as a linear function of the flow stress in accordance with the Bailey–Hirsch relationship. The strengthening effect produced by the increased dislocation density is particularly evident in the transverse specimen, followed by the longitudinal specimen and the through thickness specimen.     

Notch and strain rate sensitivity of non-crimp fabric composites

The notch and strain rate sensitivity of non-crimp glass fibre/vinyl-ester laminates subjected to uniaxial tensile loads has been investigated experimentally. Two sets of notch configurations were tested; one where circular holes were drilled and another where fragment simulating projectiles were fired through the plate creating a notch. Experiments were conducted for strain rates ranging from 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ to 10² s⁻¹ using servo hydraulic machines. A significant increase in strength with increasing strain rate was observed for both notched and un-notched specimens. High speed photography revealed changes in failure mode, for certain laminate configurations, as the strain rate increased. The tested laminate configurations showed fairly small notch sensitivity for the whole range of strain rates.