What is it about?
This paper reports the effect of properties of the cement-based matrix - be it paste, mortar or concrete on composite properties - particularly the tensile behavior. Based on experimental work involving the inclusion of fine aggregate in cement paste based matric that was used earlier to demonstrate the strain hardening effect in cement composites. It reveals the important effect of matrix fracture toughness and tensile strength on composite properties.
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Why is it important?
The work on cement based composites mostly focused on tailoring fiber geometry and properties such as the surface of the fiber that determines the interfacial bond. The work reported in the paper revealed for the first time the important effect of matrix properties such as fracture toughness and tensile strength which are functions of aggregate content and size etc. This is important to improve elastic modulus as well as properties such as shrinkage as well as cost and embedded energy and carbon footprint of cement-based composites. Fiber reinforced cement-based composites have proven important for applications such as earthquake resistant structures and infrastructure that would have better durability and lower life-cycle cost.
Perspectives
This was an important paper evidenced by subsequent developments in the field of cement-based composites that have used mortar matrix invariably based on these results more often than not. The challenge, however, remains to come up with composite designs with higher aggregate content of larger size to further reduce the cost, carbon footprint and shrinkage of the material.
Dr Dhanada Kanta Mishra
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Matrix design for pseudo-strain-hardening fibre reinforced cementitious composites, Matériaux et Constructions, December 1995, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/bf02473191.
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