Carbon fibre-reinforced cement

This review describes fabrication processes for aligned fibre and random fibre carbonreinforced cement and links important process parameters with composite theory. The way in which the material fits into the general framework of crack constraint and matrix cracking theories is discussed. A broad survey is made of the mechanical properties, durability and dimensional stability of a variety of carbon-reinforced cement composites, and economic constraints on potential applications are considered.List of symbols b breadth of three-point bend specimen - d depth of three-point bend specimen - E_c composite Young's modulus - E_f fibre Young's modulus - E_m matrix Young's modulus - l fibre length - l_c fibre critical transfer length - l_s specimen span in three-point bend test - m Weibull modulus - r fibre radius - P applied load - V_f fibre volume fraction - V_m matrix volume fraction - x length of fibre needed to transfer load _muV_m - x_d crack spacing in a composite with short, aligned fibres - _fu fibre ultimate strain - _mu matrix ultimate strain - _fu fibre ultimate strength - _mu matrix ultimate strength - _cu composite ultimate strength - _MOR modulus of rupture - _T tensile strength - interlaminar shear strength - _i interfacial shear strength - _m matrix work of fracture - _F work of fracture