Fracture of fibre-reinforced cementitious composites after exposure to elevated temperatures

Abstract

The effects of aramid, glass, basalt and polypropylene (PP) fibres in a fibre-reinforced cementitious composite (FRCC) were examined. Specifically, this work investigated the effects of the fibres on the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and fracture behaviour of the FRCC after exposure to normal and elevated temperatures. Relationships for the compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths of the FRCC were developed based on response surface methodology. The microstructures of samples at various temperatures were explored using scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results showed that the fracture energies of the mixtures were related to both temperature and fibre type. The most detrimental effects of high temperatures were on the fracture energy, which diminished by about 35% and 69% on average at 100°C and 300°C, respectively. The samples reinforced with PP fibres exhibited the maximum fracture energy at 20°C. In other words, the energy absorption of the PP fibres was far more than that of the other fibre types investigated. Finally, it was found that use of fibres with higher melting points did not improve the fracture energy of the specimens after exposure to elevated temperatures.

Optimization of Bending and Compressive Strength Behavior of Agave americana Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composite Using Response Surface Methodology

“…From the ANOVA Tables 5 and 6, "F-value" of the models is 79.82 for bending and 730.42 for compression respectively, which implies that the models are significant. There is only a 0.01% chance that the model could occur due to noise [19][20][21][22][23]. Probability values less than 0.05 indicate that the model terms are significant [35].…”

“…In another analysis, the authors proposed an experimental design to statistically analyze the mechano-physical properties of a jute yarn-reinforced composite [20]. Moreover, investigations have been made on experimental and statistical analysis based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the mechanical properties and the compressive and bending behavior of composites manufactured of cement mortar reinforced with vegetable fibers [21][22][23][24]. In Algeria Stipa tenacissima, Ampelodesmos mauritanicus, Cork, and Agave americana are abounding, their harvests and their industrialization are a substantial source of income for some entire populations.…”