• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.575-589
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• 2022

In order to enhance the greenness in the strain-hardening composites and to reduce the high cost of typical polyvinyl alcohol fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composite (PVA-ECC), an affordable strain-hardening composite with green binder content has been proposed. For optimizing the strain-hardening behavior of cementitious composites, this paper investigates the effects of polypropylene fibers on the first cracking strength, fracture properties, and micromechanical parameters of cementitious composites. For this purpose, digital image correlation (DIC) technique was utilized to monitor crack propagation. In addition, to have an in-depth understanding of fiber/matrix interaction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was used. To understand the effect of fibers on the strain hardening behavior of cementitious composites, ten mixes were designed with the variables of fiber length and volume. To investigate the micromechanical parameters from fracture tests on notched beam specimens, a novel technique has been suggested. In this regard, mechanical and fracture tests were carried out, and the results have been discussed utilizing both fracture and micromechanical concepts. This study shows that the fiber length and volume have optimal values; therefore, using fibers without considering the optimal values has negative effects on the strain-hardening behavior of cementitious composites.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2012

This paper presents materials and processing technique to manufacture low viscous strain-hardening cementitious composite which is suitable for structures requiring low viscosity of materials. The micromechanics and fracture mechanics tools coupled with processing techniques were adopted to achieve low viscosity of composites as well as high tensile strain capacity. Optimal volume and length of fibers and interfacial properties between fibers and matrix for composites with tensile strength of 2~3MPa were determined on the basis of the micromechanical analysis and the steady-state cracking theory. Then six mixtures were determined and the experiment was carried out to evaluate the viscosity and uniaxial tensile performance of those. From the test results, it is verified that the strain-hardening cementitious composite with low viscosity suitable for grouting applications in fresh state as well as high ductility over 1.5% in hardened state can be feasible.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.72 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 2019

The mechanical behavior of Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites (FRCC) under direct shear is studied through experiment and analytical simulation. The cementitious composite considered contains 55% replacement of cement with fly ash and 2% (volume ratio) of short discontinuous synthetic fibers (in the form of mass reinforcement, comprising PVA - Polyvinyl Alcohol fibers). This class of cementitious materials exhibits ductility under tension with the formation of multiple fine cracks and significant delay of crack stabilization (i.e., localization of cracking at a single location). One of the behavioral parameters that concern structural design is the shear strength of this new type of fiber reinforced composites. This aspect was studied in the present work with the use of Push-off tests. The shear strength is then compared to the materials' tensile and splitting strength values.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.467-484
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• 2023

Despite the significant features of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs), including better mechanical, fractural, and durability performance, their high content of cement has restricted their use in the construction industry. Although ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is considered the main supplementary cementitious material, its slow pozzolanic reaction stands against its application. The addition of nano-sized mineral modifiers, including nano-silica (NS), is an alternative to address the drawbacks of using GGBFS. The main object of this empirical and numerical research is to examine the effect of NS on the strain-hardening behavior of cementitious composites; ten mixes were designed, and five levels of NS were considered. This study proposes a new method, using a four-point bending test to assess the use of nano-silica (NS) on the flexural behavior, first cracking strength, fracture energy, and micromechanical parameters including interfacial friction bond strength and maximum bridging stress. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used for monitoring the initiation and propagation of the cracks. In addition, to attain a deep comprehension of fiber/matrix interaction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was used. It was discovered that using nano-silica (NS) in cementitious materials results in an enhancement in the matrix toughness, which prevents multiple cracking and, therefore, strain-hardening. In addition, adding NS enhanced the interfacial transition zone between matrix and fiber, leading to a higher interfacial friction bond strength, which helps multiple cracking in the composite due to the hydrophobic nature of polypropylene (PP) fibers. The findings of this research provide insight into finding the optimum percent of NS in which both ductility and high tensile strength of the composites would be satisfied. As a concluding remark, a new criterion is proposed, showing that the optimum value of nano-silica is 2%. The findings and proposed method of this study can facilitate the design and utilization of green cementitious composites in structures.

• Composites Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.21-26
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• 2007

This paper summarizes the design procedure and constructibility of an ECC (Engineered Cementitious Composite), which is a synthetic fiber-reinforced composite produced with the Portland cement-based mortar matrix. This study employs a stepwise method to develop useful ECC in construction field, which possesses different fluid properties to facilitate diverse types of processing (i.e., self-consolidating or spray processing). To control the rheological properties of the composite, the aggregates and reinforcing fibers were initially selected based on micromechanical analysis and steady-state cracking theory. The stability and consequent viscosity of the suspensions were then mediated by optimizing the dosage of the chemical and mineral admixtures. The rheological properties altered through this approach were revealed to be effective in obtaining ECC-hardened properties, represented by pseudo strain-hardening behavior in uniaxial tension, allowing the readily achievement of the desired function of the fresh ECC.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.909-912
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• 2008

Fiber is an important ingredient in strain-hardening cementitious composite (SHCC), which can control fracture of cementitious composite by bridging action. The properties of reinforcing fiber, as tensile strength, aspect ratio and elastic modulus, have great effect on the fracture behavior of SHCC. But SHCC has serious problem as drying shrinkage because silica powder is used to make SHCC in order to improve bond strength between reinforcing fibers and cement matrix. Therefore, curing method (period and temperature) is very important for SHCC to show high tensile performance. a variety of experiments have being performed to access the performance of SHCC recently. This research emphasis is on the mechanical properties of SHCC made in Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polyethylene (PE) fibers and steel cord (SC), and how curing method affects the composite property, and ultimately its strain-hardening performance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.27-39
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• 2005

In the recent design of high ductile fiber-reinforced ECC (engineered cementitious composite), optimizing both processing and mechanical properties for specific applications is critical. This study presents an innovative method to develop new class ECCs, which possess the different fluid properties to facilitate diverse types of processing (i.e., self-consolidating or shotcrete processing) while maintaining ductile hardened properties. In the material design concept, we employ a parallel control of fresh and hardened properties by using micromechanics and cement rheology. Control of colloidal interaction between the particles is regarded as a key factor to allow the performance of the specific processing. To determine how to control the particle interactions and the viscosity of cement suspension, we first introduce two chemical admixtures including a highly charged polyelectrolyte and a non-ionic polymer. Optimized mixing steps and dosages we, then, obtained within the solid concentration predetermined based on micromechanical principle. Test results indicate that the rheological properties altered by this approach were revealed to be highly effective in obtaining the desired function of the fresh ECC, allowing us to readily achieve hardened properties, represented by pseudo strain-hardening behavior in uniaxial tension.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.83-84
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• 2009

The objectives of this study is to investigate the effect of cementitious composite properties, particularly strain hardening and multiple cracking, on the seismic performance of infill walls when subjected to displacement reversals. The investigation focuses mainly on the comparative behaviors of precast infill walls in terms of cracking mechanism.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.25-26
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• 2010

Strain-hardening cementitious composite(SHCC) has been expected excellent reinforcement performance in beam-column joint area. The main variables considered include the type of cement composites(premixed mortar, SHCC with hybrid fiber) and shape and existence of the tie bar. As the result of the tests, existence of the tie bar specimen showed better overall behavior than another.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.925-928
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• 2008

Fiber is an important ingredient in strain-hardening cementitious composite (SHCC), which can control fracture of cementitious composite by bridging action. The properties of reinforcing fiber, as tensile strength, aspect ratio and elastic modulus, have great effect on the fracture behavior of SHCC. To apply SHCC to structural member, SHCC must have economical efficiency and workability as well as own excellent tensile performance. For these purposes, four-point bending and direct tensile tests on SHCC with only hybrid synthetic fibers, total fiber volume fraction, $V_f$, is 1.5%, are carried out. The research emphasis is on the mechanical properties of SHCC made in Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Polyethylene (PE) fibers, and how this affects the composite property, and ultimately its strain-hardening performance. Also, effect of hybrid type and water-cement ratio on the behavior of SHCC was evaluated in this paper.