Flexural performance of ring-type steel fiber-reinforced concrete

Steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) with randomly dispersed, short straight steel fibers hardly fails by fiber yielding, and the postpeak behavior is governed by mechanisms related to fiber pullout. It would be more desirable if more fracture energy could be consumed by fiber yielding at failure. It has been experimentally demonstrated in this research that SFRC with the ring-type steel fibers failed by more energy consuming mechanisms other than fiber pullout. Consequently, significant improvements in flexural toughness were obtained as compared to that of SFRC with conventional straight steel fibers.     

The relation between fiber orientation and tensile behavior in an Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites (UHPFRCC)

In this study, the effect of the fiber orientation distribution on the tensile behavior of Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites (UHPFRCC) was investigated. The tensile behavior was explored separately in two stages; pre-cracking and post-cracking tensile behaviors. Pre-cracking tensile behavior is expressed using the mechanism of elastic shear transfer between the matrix and the fiber in the composites. Post-cracking tensile behavior was expressed as the combined behavior of the resistance by the fibers and the matrix, considering a probability density distribution for the fiber orientation distribution across crack surface and a pullout model of steel fiber. The effect of the fiber orientation distribution was found to be very small on pre-cracking behavior, but to be significant on post-cracking behavior of UHPFRCC. The predicted results were compared with the experimental results, and the comparison presented satisfactory agreement.     

Modelling of ageing effects on crack-bridging behaviour of AR-glass multifilament yarns embedded in cement-based matrix

This article focus on modelling of ageing effects on crack-bridging behaviour of AR-glass multifilament yarns embedded in cement-based matrix. In the first step, age-dependent changes in the crack-bridging behaviour of AR-glass multifilament yarns were investigated at the meso and micro levels. Two cementitious matrices were considered where the binder contained Portland cement clinker and ground granulated blast furnace slag cement, respectively. Mechanical characteristics of the bond between matrix and multifilament yarns after accelerated ageing were measured by means of double-sided yarn pullout tests. In these tests the multifilament yarns bridged a single crack in the matrix arising in a notched area of the specimen. Losses in performance with increasing age differed widely depending on matrix material composition. The essential cause of such losses was discovered to be the microscopic densification of the fibre-to-matrix interface. This led to increased bond intensity and restricted slip-ability of the filaments. Subsequently, these micro-structural phenomena were related to the mesoscopic material behaviour by means of a phenomenological bond model. This cross-linkage model describes the crack-bridging effect of the entire multifilament yarn at the single filament level. According to the model, each filament possesses a specific deformation length depending on its position in the cross-section of the yarn. This deformation length depends on bond characteristics between single filament and cementitious matrix, which vary with age. Characteristic values of the model were computed from load-crack width curves obtained from the yarn pullout tests. The changes in the microstructure were represented by the characteristic values of the model.     

An integrated approach for modelling the tensile behaviour of steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete

The present work resumes the experimental and numerical research carried out for the development of a numerical tool able of simulating the tensile behaviour of steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC). SFRSCC is assumed as a two phase material, where the nonlinear material behaviour of SCC matrix is modelled by a 3D smeared crack model, and steel fibres are assumed as embedded short cables distributed within the SCC matrix according to a Monte Carlo method. The internal forces in the steel fibres are obtained from the stress–slip laws derived from the executed fibre pullout tests. The performance of this numerical strategy was appraised by simulating the tensile tests carried out. The numerical simulations showed a good agreement with the experimental results.     

Influence of chemical degradation on mechanical behavior of a petroleum cement paste

Cement paste used in the Oil Industry is generally subjected to chemical degradation due to flow of acid fluids in various situations. The present study focuses on the evolution of thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) behavior with chemical degradation of petroleum cement paste. Triaxial compression tests with different confining pressures (0, 3, 10 and 20 MPa) are carried out on a standard oil cement paste in sound state and completely degraded state by ammonium nitrate solution under a temperature of 90 °C. The results obtained show that the material in its initial state exhibits a small elastic phase and a strong capacity of compaction. The mechanical behavior depends on the load induced pore water pressure. Because of the increase in porosity caused by chemical degradation, the mechanical strength (cohesion and friction angle) and Young's modulus decrease. The dependence of mechanical strength and Young's modulus on confining pressure is smaller in the chemically degraded cement paste than in the sound one. In fine, the mechanical behavior of the whole material becomes more ductile. As a result, such effects of chemical degradation should be taken into account when modeling such cement paste materials exposed to such chemical degradations.     

Investigation on scratching force and material removal mechanism of 3D SiCf/C–SiC composites during single grain scratching

As one of the novel fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites, SiC_f/C-SiC composites are difficult to machine materials and the material removal mechanism is not completely clear yet. Single grain scratching tests with gradual depth have been carried out to analyze the influence of fiber orientation and woven structure on the material removal mechanism and scratching force in three typical scratched surfaces defined by the fiber orientation. Results indicate that the scratching force waveform is affected by the weaving method, fibers orientation, and porosity distribution of the scratched area, resulting in periodic fluctuations. Diamond indenter causes greater damage to the surface of SiC_f/C-SiC composites when scratching along transverse fibers, while leaving narrow but deep grooves on the surface when scratching along perpendicular fibers. The dominant mode of material removal of SiC_f/C-SiC composites is brittle fracture, and the damage features mainly include direct fiber breakage, matrix fragmentation, fiber pullout, fiber outcropping.     

Pullout behavior of polypropylene fibers from cementitious matrix

A comprehensive experimental investigation was performed to understand the pullout behavior of polypropylene fibers from a cementitious matrix. The effect of embedded length on the pullout characteristics, the development of the interfacial bond with age of curing of matrix and the effect of exposure to degrading environments, like seawater and salt water, on the interfacial bond between the fibers and cementitious matrix were studied. The aim of these experiments was to understand the properties of fiber/matrix interface, which are of primary significance in predicting the overall behavior of fiber-reinforced cement-based composites. Polypropylene fibers have a weak bond with cementitious matrix because of smooth surface of fibers, which does not allow for sufficient friction to develop between the two. In this study a new method to improve the frictional bond by means of mechanical indentations of fibers was also proposed. The bonding performance was characterized by means of pullout tests of the plain and modified fibers from a cementitious matrix. An optimum level of fiber modification for maximization of bond efficiency was determined experimentally.     

Torsion of steel fiber reinforced concrete members

Addition of steel fibers in concrete improves the mechanical properties of the basic matrix as they slow down the growth of crack and creates pinching forces at the tips of the cracks. Thus, the steel fiber reinforced concrete becomes a better energy absorbing material and is best material for the seismic resistant structures and blast resistant structures. Relatively little research work has been done on the behavioural aspects of this material under pure torsion compared to its behaviour under flexure or shear or under combined loading. Earlier researchers [Int. J. Cem. Compos. Lightweight Concr. 4 (1982) 45, Indian Concr. J. 55 (1981) 222-232, Int. J. Cem. Compos. 2 (1980) 85] reported that addition of fiber in concrete improves the torsional strength and ductility. However, the enhanced properties of SFRC in particular the ductility of the matrix can be achieved when a minimum volume fraction of fiber content is maintained. This investigation aims at understanding the behavioural aspects of plain SFRC members under pure torsion. An empirical formula has been proposed to predict the ultimate torsional strength of the SFRC members under pure torsion.     

Shear behavior of soft-matrix composites reinforced with polyethylene loop-formed fibers

A soft material is defined as a substance that its mechanical properties depend on ambient conditions, e.g. external stresses, temperature, etc. Since composite structures with soft-material matrix do not have adequate pullout resistance with flat-type reinforcements such as fibers, there are a large number of cases where reinforcements with passive resistance are used in conjunction with ordinary fibers. Randomly distributed loop-formed fiber (RDLFF) is a novel idea to reinforce these types of composite materials. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to use polyethylene RDLFF elements in soft-matrix composites. First, shear behavior of polyethylene RDLFF-reinforced composite was modeled with the use of force-equilibrium method, and then it was compared with that of flat-polyethylene fiber. In the next step, a set of laboratory direct shear tests was conducted on different samples including the neat treatment, polyethylene RDLFF and polyethylene fiber-reinforced composites. Thus, it was shown that through the shearing, a loop-formed fiber has two reinforcing effects including the “fiber effect” and the “loop effect”. The “loop effect” is the main advantage of using RDLFF to ordinary fibers at the same orientation and it is also the major difference in using the two kinds of fibers. The proposed model also indicated that the number of looped-form fibers, fiber diameter, coefficient of friction between fiber and matrix, loop dimension, tensile modulus of fiber, shearing zone and vertical compressive stress determine the shear resistance of RDLFF-reinforced composite. Therefore, the proposed model adequately predicts the shear behavior of soft-matrix composites reinforced with fibers and/or loop-formed fibers.     

Debond behavior of copper fibers in thermoset matrices and their effect on fracture toughening

Single fiber pullout experiments were conducted to determine the adhesion quality, debond behavior and subsequent matrix fracture behavior for a variety of end-modified copper fibers. The matrices were: two different epoxy resins, polyester and polyurethane; the end-modified copper fibers were: straight, flat end-impacted, flat end-impacted with release agent applied and straight end-oxidized. The goal was to determine how the bonding and debonding behavior as well as the pullout behavior of the various fiber-matrix combinations affected the composite fracture toughness increment (ΔG). Results indicate that the greatest improvement in the calculated ΔG occurred with a fiber-matrix combination that had a moderate interface bond strength with an interfacial bond failure, minor matrix damage during fiber pullout and moderate post-debond interface friction. Selective oxidation of the fiber end was performed to determine if chemical anchoring of the fiber end could be as effective as mechanical (end-shaping) anchoring of the fiber into the matrix. Improvement in the adhesion bond strength as a result of the chemical anchoring resulted in a significantly lower ΔG compared to the end-impacted fibers because interfacial failure was not possible. This indicates that for the materials tested, mechanical anchoring of the fiber was better than chemical anchoring in improving ΔG. To decrease the adhesion bond strength and allow the fibers to debond, a release agent was applied to the flat end-impacted fiber prior to embedment into the matrix. This resulted in a significantly lower ΔG compared to straight and flat end-impacted fibers for all matrices tested, because the resulting debonding force and friction were significantly reduced. Pullout curves showed that with release agent applied, the end-shape did not effectively anchor the fiber into the matrix. The reduction in the pullout work indicates that the friction at the fiber-matrix interface plays a crucial role in actively anchoring the end-shaped fiber into the matrix after debonding.     

Wettability assessment of plasma-treated PBO fibers based on thermogravimetric analysis

Changes in the surface wettability of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) following an air dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment. The results were then supplemented and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic contact angle analysis (DCAA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. After exposure to the DBD plasma at a pre-determined power level, TGA analysis showed that the residual rates retained by the PBO composites decreased, which meant an increase in the amount of resin coating the PBO fibers in the composites. Observations by SEM confirmed that there was more resin adhering to the treated PBO fibers and the wetting behavior of resin on the fibers was greatly improved. Meanwhile, DCAA for the treated fibers showed a significant enhancement in fiber surface free energy. XPS and AFM were performed in order to reveal any variations in fiber surface activity and surface morphology resulting from the surface treatment. The resulting data showed that increases in oxygen-containing polar groups and surface roughness on the plasma-treated PBO fibers contributed to the above improved wetting behavior. With comprehensive analyses, it was concluded that TGA could be used as a supporting method assessing the surface wettability of PBO fibers before and after air DBD plasma treatment.     

Modeling and experimental validation of interfacial fatigue damage in fiber‐reinforced rubber composites

This article presents an experimental and numerical study of short‐fiber‐reinforced rubber sealing composites (SFRC) at different stress amplitudes (1 MPa, 2 MPa, and 3 MPa). The curves of the maximum strain varying with the number of cycles were obtained by the fatigue test, and the damage modes of SFRC at different stress amplitudes were determined by scanning electron microscope. A finite element model (FEM) was established, where fibers distributed randomly and the stress‐based fatigue damage model integrating with a bilinear traction‐separation law of the cohesive zone model was embedded in the fiber/matrix interface. The effect of different stress amplitudes on the fatigue damage of SFRC was investigated by FEM where the interfacial debonding behavior was considered. The predictions at stress amplitudes of 1 MPa are generally consistent with experimental data. The predictions at high stress amplitudes (2 MPa and 3 MPa) are agreeable with experimental data at low number of cycles. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:920–927, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Influence of steel fibers on the development of alkali-aggregate reaction

This work presents the results of an experimental research concerning the use of fibers in mortar specimens subjected to alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR). Two types of steel fibers (0.16 mm diameter and 6.0 mm length, and 0.20 mm diameter and 13.0 mm length) were used with fiber volume contents of 1% and 2%. Besides the expansion accelerated tests, compressive tests and flexural tests have also been carried out to display the main mechanical characteristics of the fiber-reinforced mortars after being subjected to AAR. Moreover, the microstructure of the specimens was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray. The results shown that the addition of steel fibers reduced the expansion due to AAR for the experimental conditions studied in this paper. The most expressive benefit corresponded to the addition of 13.0 mm fibers in the mixture containing 2% fiber content. This fiber volume content also corresponded to the maximum increment in the mechanical properties compared to the reference mortar, mainly for the post-cracking strength and for the toughness in bending. It was observed that the fibers have a beneficial effect on the material, without compromising its main mechanical properties.     

Characterization of Interfacial Properties in Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites

For calculating interface properties from pullout tests, a simple theoretical model is proposed. The model enables calculating of the following material parameters: the parameter of shear stiffness of the fiber–matrix boundary layer, the shear bond strength, the frictional bond strength and the specific interfacial fracture energy. These parameters can be determined from the slope of the load-slip curve, the maximum pullout load and the corresponding slip value. Slip-controlled, multiple-fiber pullout tests were conducted in a closed-loop test system. The effects of embedment length of fibers on the model-predicted material parameters were examined. The model predictions were satisfactorily compared with some previously published test data.     

ASR expansion behavior of recycled glass fine aggregates in concrete

The alkali-silica-reaction (ASR) expanding behavior of different types of glass, all derived from cullet with different chemical composition, has been investigated. The glass reactivity was determined in different alkaline solutions based on sodium and/or calcium hydroxide to simulate concrete environment. The expansion of mortar containing different amounts of the investigated glass as fine aggregate has been carried out in different conditions: data collected underline a different response of glass towards the alkaline environment. Soda-lime glass shows negligible expansion, lead-silicate glass always generates expanding trends while boro-silicate glass has different behaviors depending on its colour. An attempt to link the behavior to the solubility and chemical reactivity of the glass is proposed.     

Debonding Properties of Residually Stressed Brittle-Matrix Composites

Trends in interface debonding have been calculated during fiber pullout for composites with interfaces subject to residual tension. The debond behavior is shown to depend sensitively on the thermal expansion mismatch. The results are used as the basis for designing a pullout test specimen suitable for measuring the mixed-mode fracture energy of bimaterial interfaces. The solutions also provide the background needed to assess the role of debonding in the toughening of ceramics by fibers.     

Behavior of sisal fiber concrete cylinders externally wrapped with jute FRP

The use of environmentally friendly natural fibers as building materials is benefit to achieve a sustainable construction. This article performs a study on the use of natural jute fibers as reinforcement of concrete and natural sisal fibers in fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites as concrete confinement, i.e., sisal fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) composite column wrapped by jute FRP (JFRP) (SFRC‐JFRP). Uniaxial compression test was conducted to assess the compression performance of the composite columns as axial structural member. A total of 24 specimens were tested. The effects of JFRP wrapping thickness and sisal fiber inclusion on the compressive performance of the composite columns were investigated. Results indicate that JFRP confinement significantly increases the compressive strength and ductility of both PC and SFRC with an increase in JFRP thickness. Besides, the inclusion of sisal fiber further enhances the strength as well as the efficiency of confinement under uniaxial compression. Also, the models for ultimate strength and ultimate strain of PC‐JFRP and SFRC‐JFRP are proposed. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1910–1917, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Bonding characteristics of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers coated with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene in cement‐based composites

In this study, we sought to enhance the bond performance between recycled polyethylene terephthalate(PET) fibers and cement‐based composites using a hydrophilization treatment with hydrophilic maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (mPP). The bond performance was evaluated with bone‐shaped specimens after the hydrophilization treatment. The effects of the concentration of mPP in the solution in which the PET fibers were immersed (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%) and the three types of shapes on the surface energy of the recycled PET fibers were evaluated. The pullout behavior, bond strength, and interfacial energy all increased with the concentration of mPP to 15% but decreased at 20%. This occurred because 15% mPP coated the recycled PET fiber thoroughly, whereas a 20% mPP coating resulted in partial cracks, which led to fractures on application of a pullout load. Of the fiber shapes, the embossed fibers demonstrated the best bond behavior. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Cracking control of concretes modified with short AR-glass fibers at early age. Experimental results on standard concrete and SCC

At early ages (less than 24 h), cracking can occur in concrete because it can be subjected to dimensional changes, due to shrinkage, can generate loads which are greater than the low strength capacity of the material at this age. This is especially the case in members with highly exposed surfaces, such as floor slabs or precast panels.

As any other cement based composite, Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) shrinks at an early age and can crack when shrinkage is restrained.

One possible solution to reduce the impact of early age shrinkage on concrete durability is to include low volumetric fractions of short fibers in order to control crack growth. To evaluate the cracking control ability of Alkali Resistant (AR) glass fibers in standard concrete and SCC, an experimental program, developed in accordance with the AR-glass fiber producer, was conducted. Two different types of AR-glass dispersible fibers, two concrete compositions and several volumetric fractions of fiber have been studied.

The experimental program included a mechanical characterization of the different concrete compositions (compression and flexural strength tests), free shrinkage tests, with and without air flow over the samples, and double restrained slab cracking tests (Kraai slab modified test).

The results obtained show that the inclusion of low volumetric fractions of the two types of AR-glass fiber under study can control the cracking produced due to very early age shrinkage on both standard concrete and SCC in two different ways: reducing the total cracked area and the maximum length of the cracks. Although, a non-linear dependence of cracked area on AR-glass fiber amount was found. A microscopic study of the cracked surface confirms the favorable effect of the presence of dispersed AR-glass fibers on cracking control.

When standard concrete and SCC results were compared, it was observed that, although SCC drying shrinkage was larger, standard concrete with a similar performance in the hardened state produced equivalent cracking area.     

Effect of Interface Mechanical Properties on Pullout in a SiC-Fiber-Reinforced Lithium Aluminum Silicate Glass-Ceramic

The pullout of fibers in the crack wake makes an important contribution to the toughness of ceramic-matrix composites. The pullout is, in turn, influenced by the properties of the fibers and by the sliding resistance of the interface. Basic relationships governing the pullout are developed analytically and investigated experimentally using a lithium aluminum silicate/silicon carbide (LAS/SIC) composite subjected to various heat treatments. The experiments involve determining the strengths of single fibers and then measuring the pullout distributions. The results are used to provide a consistent view of the pullout process and related changes in mechanical properties.