Flexural behavior of carbon fiber cement composites

Abstract

It is evident that the carbon-fiber reinforced ementitious composites are, increasingly, being used day by day in the structural and construction works owing to the synergetic action from two components viz. fiber and mortar matrix. Incorporation of a very nominal percentage of carbon fibers into a mortar mixture produces a strong and durable composite that leads the product of smart material properties. Flexural behavior of cement-based matrices carrying carbon fibers reinforcement of different percentage and size is studied in this paper. Influence of fiber content, fiber length and combination is quantified using load deflection curves. Specimens containing fiber content of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% with 3, 6 mm and their combination are prepared and tested. It is demonstrated that combination of 3 and 6 mm fibers enhances the bearing capacity to crack- and ultimate-stresses as well as the Young’s modulus of the cement composites. The paper emphasizes the desired performances after the initiation of cracks and discusses the pre- and post-crack load-deflection characteristics of these composites.