Title:
Do Fibers Increase the Tensile Strength of Cement-Based Matrix?
Author(s):
Surendra P. Shah
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
88
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
595-602
Keywords:
composite materials; fiber reinforced concrete; strains; fracture properties; microcracking; stress-strain diagram; tensile strength; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/1195
Date:
11/1/1992
Abstract:
Many of the current applications of fiber reinforced concrete involve the use of fibers ranging around 1 percent by volume of concrete. It is usually assumed that fibers do not influence the tensile strength of the matrix, and only after the matrix has cracked do the fibers contribute by bridging the cracks. Recently, it has been possible to incorporate relatively large volumes (ranging up to 15 percent) of steel, glass, and synthetic fibers in concrete. With such a large volume of fibers in concrete, some evidence presented in this paper indicates that the fibers may substantially increase the tensile strength of matrixes. If this is true, then it is important to define conditions under which such beneficial interactions can occur.