Tensile strength enhancement in interground fiber cement composites

C. P. Ostertag, C. K. Yi, G. Vondran

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Interground fiber cement (IFC) is a new process where fibers are ground in with the cement clinker during the dry cement manufacturing process. With IFC considerable strength enhancement can be achieved compared to ordinary cement even at a fiber volume as low as 0.2% due to homogeneous fiber distribution and fiber surface modifications associated with the milling process. The cracking mechanisms associated with the strength enhancement were observed in real time during load application using a custom designed loading device. The homogeneous fiber distribution stabilizes crack growth. Formation of multiple, stable secondary microcracks was observed during the strain hardening regime, enhancing the strain capacity at ultimate strength. Fiber pullout was the dominant toughening mechanism in the strain softening regime. For fibers inclined to the propagating crack, fiber pullout was preceded by secondary microcrack formations along the fiber/matrix interface.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)419-425
Number of pages7
JournalCement and Concrete Composites
Volume23
Issue number4-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright:
Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Cement mill
  • Crack propagation
  • Interground fibers
  • Polypropylene fibers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • General Materials Science

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