Fracture energy of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete at high strain rates

The fracture energy of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) at high strain rates (5–92 s^− 1) was investigated, and specimens with 1–1.5% fibers exhibited very high fracture energy (28–71 kJ/m²). Evaluation of the rate effects on the UHPFRC fracture resistance, including fracture strength (f_t), specific work-of-fracture (W_S), and softening fracture energy (W_F), indicated that f_t and W_S were highly sensitive to strain rate, whereas W_F was not. The effects of fiber type, volume content, specimen shape and fiber blending on the fracture resistance at high and static strain rates differed significantly: 1) smooth fibers exhibited higher f_t and W_S at high rates than twisted fibers; 2) higher fiber volume content did not clearly generate higher W_S and W_F at high rates; 3) notched specimens generally exhibited higher fracture resistance than un-notched samples at both static and high rates; and 4) UHPFRC blending two fibers produced higher W_S and W_F than UHPFRC with mono fiber at high rates.     

Effects of nanosilica and steel fibers on the impact resistance of slag based self-compacting alkali-activated concrete

In this research, the effects of nanosilica and steel fibers on the impact resistance of ground granulated blast furnace slag based self-compacting alkali-activated concrete were investigated. Nanosilica volume fraction was kept constant at 2%. Two types of hooked-end steel fibers (Kemerix 30/40 and Dramix 60/80) and steel fiber volume contents (0.5% and 1%) were utilized to highlight the combined effects of nanosilica and steel fiber on the impact behavior. The fresh state and mechanical properties such as slump flow, L-box, V-funnel, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength were evaluated. The microstructure of the samples was examined using a scanning electron microscope. The impact resistance of the specimens was measured by a drop-weight test. Acceleration-time and force-time graphs were plotted and evaluated together with the crack photos of the specimens for the first and failure impactor drops. The incorporations of nanosilica and steel fiber improved splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, and energy absorption capacity, while they decreased compressive strength and modulus of elasticity. For the specimens without nanosilica and with 2% nanosilica, the impact energy improvements were five times and 12.5 times higher for 0.5% short fibrous, 20.5 times and 44.5 times higher for 1% short fibrous, 23.5 times and 31 times higher for 0.5% long fibrous, and 64 times and 144.5 times higher for 1% long fibrous specimens than the specimens without nanosilica and steel fiber, respectively. The long fibers were found more effective in mechanical strength and impact energy than short fibers, and the reinforcing efficiency of fibers enhanced with higher steel fiber volumes. The combined utilization of nanosilica and steel fibers have the potential to delay the crack formation and dissipate energy to the surrounding zones, and this potential increased with higher steel fiber lengths and volume ratios.     

Investigating direct tensile behavior of high performance fiber reinforced cementitious composites at high strain rates

This research reported the process of measuring direct tensile stress versus strain response of high performance fiber reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCCs) at high strain rates between 10 s^− 1 and 40 s^− 1. High rate tensile tests were performed using a strain energy frame impact machine (SEFIM) built by authors. The stress history of HPFRCC at high rates was estimated from two strain gauges attached on two sides of a transmitter bar while the strain history was obtained by analyzing the sequential images recorded using a high speed camera. HPFRCCs exhibited strong rate sensitivity, i.e., their tensile parameters, including post cracking strength, strain capacity, peak toughness, and number of cracks, were significantly enhanced as the strain rate increased although the enhancement was different according to the types of fiber. The source of the dynamic enhancements in the tensile parameters of HPFRCCs was discussed.     

Mechanical properties of wood-fiber/toughened isotactic polypropylene composites

This study investigates the mechanical properties of wood-fiber/toughened PP composite modified by physical blending with an EPDM rubber to improve impact toughness. Wood-fiber thermoplastic composites were prepared with a modified PP matrix resin, employing high shear thermokinetic compounding aided with maleated PP for the fiber dispersion. The addition of EPDM improved the impact toughness, while it reduced stiffness and strength properties. To compensate the non-plane strain fracture toughness, the specimen strength ratio (R_sb) was adopted as a comparative measure of fracture toughness. The strength ratio increased with the addition of EPDM, while it decreased with increasing wood-fiber concentration. The work of fracture increased with EPDM level except at large wood-fiber concentration. The effectiveness of the impact modification was assessed with the balance between tensile modulus and unnotched impact energy as a function of wood-fiber concentration. EPDM rubber modification was moderately effective for wood-fiber PP composites. The examination of fracture surfaces showed twisted fibers, fiber breakage, and fiber pull-out from the matrix resin.     

The notch sensitivity of polymeric materials

Stress–strain tests were made on about five dozen polymeric materials using unnotched and notched specimens containing six different types of notches. Notches decrease the strength, but they decrease the elongation to break even more drastically in general. Notch sensitivity factors are defined for strength and for energy to fracture in such a manner that the greater the notch sensitivity factor, the greater is the effect of a notch relative to the unnotched material. The notch sensitivity factor for breaking (or yield) strength is not the same as the notch sensitivity factor for energy to fracture as measured by the area under the stress–strain curve. Brittle polymers and composites tend to have greater notch sensitivity factors for strength than ductile polymers. For brittle polymers, the notch sensitivity factor for energy to fracture tends to increase with the elongation to break of the unnotched polymer. Notches generally are more detrimental to ductile polymers than to brittle ones as far as the energy to fracture is concerned. For ductile polymers, the shape of the stress–strain curve is important in determining the sensitivity to notches. The ratio of the upper to lower yield strengths should be small for low notch sensitivity. It is desirable to have the breaking strength greater than the yield strength. Glass fibers and filler in ductile matrices increase the notch sensitivity for strength but decrease the sensitivity for energy to fracture relative to the unfilled polymer. Rubber–filled polymers have a reduced notch sensitivity for strength relative to the unfilled polymer, but the notch sensitivity for energy to fracture may be either increased or decreased, depending upon the system. The energy to fracture for notched specimens correlates better with Izod impact strength than does the energy to fracture for unnotched specimens. It is recommended that notched stress–strain specimens be routinely measured along with unnotched specimens.     

Interfacial behavior of high performance organic fibers

The surface and interfacial properties of different high performance fibers of current interest have been analyzed. The pyridobisimidazole fiber M5 shows a markedly higher polar contribution to its surface free energy than the rest of the organic fibers under study. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) values measured by means of the microdroplet test indicate that M5 fiber has an IFSS that doubles that of the Kevlar fibers, in agreement with the observed results from surface free energy tests. Armos fiber, a para-aramid material that incorporates imidazole functional groups, shows an average IFSS 30-35% higher than the Kevlar fibers. SEM micrographs of failed microdroplet specimens show different failure mechanisms for the Kevlar KM2, Armos and M5 fibers. The KM2 specimens fail due to complete detachment of surface fibrils from the bulk of the fiber, while Armos specimens fail by the combined effect of microfibrillation on the fiber surface coupled with adhesive failure. In contrast, M5 microdroplet specimens exhibit failure surfaces consisting of partial matrix yielding during droplet debonding, indicative of the high level of interfacial bonding to the surface and higher levels of hydrogen bonding within the fiber that suppress microfibrillation. The higher polar character of the M5 surface can lead to the presence of an interphase region with different mechanical properties from the bulk matrix.     

Performance of spalling resistance of high performance concrete with polypropylene fiber contents and lateral confinement

This paper presents an experimental study on the spalling resistance of high performance concrete with polypropylene (PP) fibers and fabric or sheet material for lateral confinement subjected to fire. According to the test results, spalling occurred on all specimens that did not contain PP fiber in the concrete mixture. However, spalling did not occur on specimens containing PP fibers above 0.05% by volume. A metal fabric showed beneficial effect on spalling resistance, but glass or carbon fiber fabrics do not show the same effect on the spalling resistance due to reduction of bond strength at high temperatures. Spalling did not occur on all specimens in which PP fibers and metal fabric were applied at the same time, and hence spalling resistance performance was significantly improved. The residual compressive strength was maintained at about 90% of its original strength, and this can be considered as an improved performance against fire damage.     

不同应变率下聚甲醛纤维机场道面混凝土弯曲性能研究

机场道面混凝土结构在不同性质荷载作用下的力学行为受应变率的影响较大。为研究应变率对聚甲醛纤维机场道面混凝土(PFAPC)弯曲性能的影响,通过四点弯曲试验,分析不同应变率(10^-5～10^-1 s^-1)下PFAPC抗弯挠度、弯曲模量、弯曲强度及韧性指数的变化规律,并观察断口纤维的微观形貌,总结不同应变率下的纤维失效模式。结果表明：PFAPC的弯曲峰值强度、极限抗弯挠度及弯曲模量随应变率的增加呈上升趋势;与峰值强度相比,应变率对PFAPC残余强度影响较小,但随应变率增大总体呈上升趋势;与极限抗弯挠度相比,峰值挠度随应变率的增加波动上升;聚甲醛纤维在各应变率作用下主要为拔出破坏模式;PFAPC在车辆及飞机冲击作用下能吸收较大能量,呈现出一定的延性破坏特征,具有良好的弯曲韧性。     

Achievement of high surface charge in poly(vinylidene fluoride) fiber yarns through dipole orientation during fabrication

Electrospun fiber materials are of scientific interest for use in multiple application areas. Charged fiber structures show enhanced properties as desired for some of these applications. One factor influencing the charge on the fiber structure that has not been explored is fiber alignment. Electrospun fiber structures, such as membranes, typically consist of randomly oriented fibers. Structural properties of the membranes such as mechanical strength are known to be affected by the random orientation of the fibers. It is suspected that fiber orientation may also affect the charge capacity of charged fiber structures. A few approaches to form electrospun yarns have been reported. Some of these approaches can also cause fibers to preferentially align along the yarn axis instead of assembling into a random structure. In this work, a rotating metal cone was used to collect Poly(vinylidene fluoride) electrospun fibers from which stretched yarns were drawn and twisted into yarns. The alignment of the fibers in the yarns was controllable to a degree that allowed exploration of the effect of alignment on charge. Long continuous oriented or random yarns of relatively uniform thickness were produced at a rate of about 10 m/h. The yarns were polarized by methods of heating, stretching, and poling. The results show that the fiber yarn formation process endows more charges to the fibers compared to the normal fiber membrane electrospinning and post polarization. This provides a facile route for the preparation of enhanced charge-functionalized fiber structures for a wide range of applications.     

Dynamic compressive behavior of basalt fiber reinforced concrete after exposure to elevated temperatures

This paper investigated the dynamic behavior of basalt fiber reinforced concrete (BFRC) after elevated temperatures by using a 100‐mm‐diameter split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. Changes in weight and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) were also studied. The results indicate that the weight losses of BFRC before cooling increase with temperature, while a reduction in weight loss value is observed after water cooling. The UPV values of BFRC decrease constantly as temperature increases, and the measured velocities under the same temperature increase with fiber content as temperature exceeds 200 °C. For a given temperature, the strain rate, dynamic strength, critical strain, and impact toughness of BFRC increase with impact velocity. For a given impact velocity, the increasing temperature generally leads to an increase in strain rate and critical strain and results in a decrease in dynamic strength and impact toughness except in the case of 200 °C. At 200 °C, however, a marginal reduction, even an improvement in dynamic strength is observed, and the impact toughness initially decreases, then increases with loading rate when compared with that at room temperature. Basalt fiber is effective in improving the strength performance, deformation capacity, and energy absorption property of concrete after high temperature. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of grain size on the mechanical properties and crack formation of HPFRCC containing deformed steel fibers

This research investigated the influence of sand grain size on the behavior of high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCC). Four types of sand with different grain sizes were investigated using the same matrix composition containing 2.0% hooked and twisted fibers by volume. The compressive strength was significantly greater for the finer sand grains, despite little difference in the packing density. The better compressive strength was mainly due to the denser calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) resulting from an intensive pozzolanic reaction with the finer silica sand, rather than to an improvement in packing density. The interfacial bond strength of those fibers was notably improved, having favorable effects on the mechanical properties and multiple crack formation of HPFRCCs. Although both fibers showed superior properties in mortars with a finer sand grain, twisted fiber produced more sensitive behavior according to the sand grain size.     

Comparative behavior under compression of concrete columns repaired by fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) jacketing and ultra high-performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC)

This paper summarizes the experimental results from a comprehensive research program to study the fundamental stress–strain behavior of damaged concrete repaired by two techniques: increased concrete section and bonding fiber reinforced polymer (FRP). In this work, two types of FRP composite jackets were used, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer, and two types of concretes were used to repair the damaged concrete by increased concrete section: ordinary concrete and ultra high-performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Fifteen circular columns of concrete (110 × 220) cm³ were initially pre-damaged up to intense cracking, repaired by increased concrete section and by bonding FRP, and tested under uni-axial compression by loading up the damage. The impact of different design parameters, including plain concrete strength, types of composites, and type of concrete used for increasing section, was considered in this study. The strength enhancement and ductility improvement of specimens are discussed. A simple model is presented to predict the compressive strength of repaired damaged concrete columns. A significant strength and an increase in ductility were achieved, particularly when the columns were repaired by increasing section with UHPFRC and by bonding CFRP. These preliminary tests indicate that the use of UHPFRC is an effective technique for rehabilitating damaged concrete columns, highly competitive with the repaired concrete by wrapping specimens with FRP composite jackets.     

E‐glass/DGEBA/m‐PDA single fiber composites: Interface debonding during fiber fracture

In this paper, we examine the regions of debonding between the fibers and the matrix surrounding fiber breaks formed during single fiber fragmentation tests. The fiber breaks are accompanied by areas of debonding between the matrix and the surface of the fiber. With increasing applied strain, the lengths of these debonded regions generally increase. At the end of the test, the matrix tensile strain adjacent to the debond regions is an order of magnitude higher than the applied strain (40% vs. 4%). Although the debond edges typically remain attached at the same locations on the fiber fragments, debond propagation along fiber fragments under increasing strain has been observed in some cases. The phenomenon is termed secondary debond growth, and two mechanisms that trigger secondary debond region growth have been proposed. As expected, tests with bare fibers and with fibers coated to alter interface adhesion indicate that the average size of debonded regions at the end of the test increases as the calculated interfacial shear strength decreases. However, a decrease in the “apparent” interfacial shear strength resulting from an increase in testing rate results in a decrease in the size of the average debond region. This result suggests an increase in the amount of energy stored in the matrix from the fiber fracture process. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:561–574, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The response of fibrous composites to impact loading

The response of advanced composites to low-velocity projectile loading was investigated. The impact failure mechanisms of composites containing various fibers with different strength and ductility were studied by a combination of static indentation testing, instrumented falling dart impact testing, acoustic emission monitoring, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composites containing fibers with both high strength and high ductility (eg., polyethylene (PE) fibers) demonstrate a superior impact resistance as compared to those containing fibers with high strength (eg., graphite fibers) or high ductility (eg., nylon fibers) but not both. Upon impact loading, the composites containing PE fibers usually exhibited a great degree of plastic deformation and some level of delamination. These mechanisms acted to dissipate a significant amount of strain energy prior to the penetration phase of the impact process. No through penetration was observed in all the samples containing more than three layers of PE fabric except when loaded at relatively high rates and low temperatures. Although certain levels of delamination also took place in other composite systems, very little plastic deformation occurred, allowing ready penetration of the projectile. The stacking sequences in the hybrid laminates studied were found to play a critical role in triggering or inhibiting the processes of plastic deformation and delamination and, therefore, controlling their energy absorption capability. The penetration resistance of composites appeared to be dictated by the fiber toughness. The later property must be measured in a simulated high-rate condition.     

Strength,permeability, and durability of hybrid fiber‐reinforced concrete containing styrene butadiene latex

Hybrid fiber‐reinforced concrete (HFRC) is examined in this study. Two types of synthetic fibers were considered: polyvinyl alcohol fiber/macro synthetic fiber (PVA/MSF) and polypropylene fiber (PP)/MSF. Styrene butadiene latex was added at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of the cement weight. Tests carried out for the study included compressive strength, flexural strength, chloride ion penetration, abrasion resistance, and impact resistance. The results demonstrated that higher latex contents improved the dispersibility of the fibers because of the increased workability of the HFRC and the improved adhesion. Formation of a latex film improved the strength, permeability resistance, abrasion resistance, and impact resistance. PVA/MSF HFRC had better properties than PP/MSF HFRC. This was attributed to stronger hydrogen bonding by the hydrophilic PVA fibers, which led to superior resistance to micro‐cracking and crack propagation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Mechanical properties of twisted filaments

The knowledge of some mechanical properties of twisted filament is necessary to predict properties of continuous-filament yarns. Retraction, strength, strain, and elastic properties of filaments are the chief characteristics. Assuming that the filament can be considered as a yarn made of fibers bounded together and then twisted, formulas for prediction of those properties were elaborated and then compared with the experimentally received values. Satisfactory agreement of computed results with experimental values is obtained if the changes in volume of filament at strain is taken into account.     

Orientation factor and number of fibers at failure plane in ring-type steel fiber reinforced concrete

Considering the probabilistic distributions of fibers in ring-type steel fiber reinforced concrete, the orientation factor and the number of ring-type steel fibers crossing the failure plane were theoretically derived as a function of fiber geometry, specimen dimensions, and fiber volume fraction. A total number of 24 specimens were tested incorporating different fiber types, specimen geometry, and fiber volume fractions of 0.2% and 0.4%: 5 beams and 5 panels containing straight steel fibers; and 6 beams and 8 panels containing ring-type steel fibers. Measurements were made to assess the number of fibers at fractured surfaces of steel fiber reinforced concrete. The developed theoretical expressions reasonably predicted the orientation factor and the number of ring-type steel fibers at failure plane: the average and the standard deviation for the ratios of the test to theory were 1.03 and 0.26, respectively. Theoretical investigations and comparisons were made for the values of orientation factor and the number of fibers at failure plane for straight steel fibers and ring-type steel fibers.     

Effect of fiber reinforcement on deformability properties of cemented sand

In this study, a series of unconfined compression tests have been performed to determine the effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber inclusion on deformation characteristics of cemented sand. The cement contents were 2, 4, and 6% by weight of the dry sand and samples were cured for 7 days. PVA fibers with a length of 12 mm and a diameter of 0.1 mm were added to sand-cement mixtures at a weight ratio of 0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 1% (dry wt.). The compression stress-axial strain, secant modulus of elasticity (E₅₀), tangent modulus of elasticity (E_tan), failure mode, energy absorption capacity (EA), energy base index, strain base index, deformability index and axial strain at peak strength of the samples were described. Tests results show that addition of cement to sand increased stiffness and unconfined compression strength (UCS), and leading to a brittle behavior. Moreover, addition of PVA fibers to cemented sand increased the UCS and axial strain at peak strength and increased softening stress after the maximum strength. In addition, the fiber inclusion increases the energy absorption capacity and decreases the secant modulus of elasticity.     

Effect of shrinkage reducing admixture on tensile and flexural behaviors of UHPFRC considering fiber distribution characteristics

This study investigated the effect of shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) on the properties of ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) including fluidity, compressive, single fiber pullout, tensile and flexural behaviors. In addition, the influence of fiber distribution characteristics such as fiber orientation, fiber dispersion, number of fibers, and packing density on the flexural behavior of UHPFRC was evaluated according to the amount of SRA, using an image processing technique that was developed. Three different SRA to cement weight ratios (0%, 1%, and 2%) were investigated on UHPFRC with 2 vol.% of steel fibers. The specimen without SRA exhibited the best performance in compressive, single fiber pullout, and tensile behaviors including load carrying capacity, strain capacity, and energy absorption capacity and had a highly densified interfacial transition zone between fiber and matrix. In particular, the flexural strength of UHPFRC varied with the fiber distribution characteristics, rather than the amount of SRA.     

The breaking strength of imperfect (real) polymer fibers

The thermodynamic fusion theory of strength of perfect polymer fibers of finite molecular weight is extended to include imperfect (i.e. real) fibers of incomplete crystallinity and orientation. Approximate equations for failure strength, strain, and work of failure are derived by extracting from the real visco-elastic fiber an equivalent reversible component suitable for thermodynamic analysis. This is facilitated by an explicit relationship between fiber breaking stress, σ_*, and breaking strain, _*, which is shown to be σ_*=0.632K_* (K=modulus) for constant strain-rate deformations. It is shown that fiber breaking time is equivalent to the fiber visco-elastic mechanical relaxation time. Experimental data shows that the activation energy of rupture of polyethylene fibers is not the activation energy of covalent bond rupture. Instead it agrees with the activation energy expected of crystal melting in accordance with the fusion theory of rupture. The activation volume of the polyethylene fibers also agrees with the value expected from this theory.