• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2016

This study is to examine experimentally on the engineering properties of fiber reinforced concrete using kenaf(KN) fiber and another organic fibers for comparing test, and propose the usable method of KN fiber as an natural fiber in the concrete industry. It is to select 4 contents(0, 0.3, 0.6 and $0.9kg/m^3$) of KN fiber and 4 organic fibers (Jute, Cellulose, Polypropylene and Nylon). For this study, it is to perform various tests including slump, air content, plastic and drying shrinkage, flexural and tensile strength, carbonation depth for the fiber reinforced concrete according to contents of KN fiber and 4 organic fibers. The results of this study are as follows : In case of KN fiber contents $0.6kg/m^3$, it shows the effective results from increasing concrete strength including flexural and tensile, from decreasing plastic and drying shrinkage, carbonation depth. Also KN fiber is confirmed having excellent performances by comparing with test results of another organic fibers as same contents $0.6kg/m^3$. Therefore, considering concrete test results, cost and environment, KN fiber is proposed as the optimum contents in the range of $0.6kg/m^3$ and an effective fiber materials, and needs to keep up these study on the site application.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.35-46
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• 2017

Most of high carbon fly ashes (HCFA) are discarded in landfills with high costs due to low recycling rate. This study aims to explore the geotechnical behaviors of HCFA mixtures reinforced with fiber and sand. A series of compaction test, unconfined compressive strength test and modified 1D consolidation test with bender element were performed. Specimens were prepared at their optimal moisture contents based on the results of compaction tests. The results of this study demonstrate that the inclusion of fibers to the matrix of HCFA increases unconfined compressive strength (UCS), strain at UCS, and maximum shear modulus ($G_{max}$) at a given void ratio. Reinforcement with sand increases UCS of HCFA; while the strain at UCS is irrelevant with sand fractions. Sand particles may disrupt the direct contacts between HCFA particles at low sand content, resulting in a decrease in $G_{max}$. However, it can be expected that the mixtures with sand content larger than 20% are in dense state; thus, $G_{max}$ of HCFA reinforced with sand shows greater value than that of unreinforced HCFA compacted with the same energy. Regardless of types of reinforcement, the compression index ($C_c$) of both fiber and sand reinforced HCFA is mainly determined by initial void ratio.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2012

Recently, experimental studies to prevent explosive spalling based on spalling mechanism and addition of Polypropylene fiber in high strength concrete (HSC) are performed actively. However, with respect to ultra high strength concrete (UHSC), its compact internal structure is more difficult release vapor pressure at rapid rising temperature compared to HSC. Therefore, in this study, an experiment was conducted to evaluate spalling properties of UHSC using ${\Box}$ $100mm{\times}100{\times}H200mm$ rectangular specimen according to ISO-834 standard fire curve. With respect melting point of fiber, three fiber types of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Nylon fibers with melting temperature of $110^{\circ}C$, $165^{\circ}C$, and $225^{\circ}C$, respectively, were considered. Mixed fiber of 0.15% and 0.25% of concrete volume was used to consider spalling properties based on water vapor pressure release. Then, TGDTA test on fiber and FEM analysis were performed. The results showed that it is difficult to prevent initial spalling without loss of fiber mass even if fiber melting temperature is low. Also, in preventing thermal spalling, fiber that melts to rapidly create porosity within 10 minutes of fire is more effective than that of low melting temperature property of fiber.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.509-516
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• 2012

The aims of this research is to develop a fire resistant admixture to enhance high-pressured pumping of high-strength concrete (HSC) with a compressive strength of 60~80 MPa. Generally, the efficiency of HSC high-pressured pumping is dramatically reduced due to entanglement of short fibers added to prevent fire spalling. Therefore, the fire resistant admixture that can facilitate pumping of fire resistant HSC is urgently needed presently. The fire resistant HSC mix is comprised of Polypropylene fiber, Nylon fiber and Polymer powder. The test results showed that the slump-flow was improved by approximately 70% of the HSC without fire resistant admixture. However, the air void content was increased slightly due to the addition. The standard design compressive strength at 28-days was satisfied, while its flexural strength was similar to the concrete without the admixture. Since the flexural strength was 12~15% of its compressive strength, the general trend of flexural to compressive strength ratio in normal concrete was maintained. Even though its elastic modulus was decreased by adding the admixture, the study results showed that the concrete can be used for construction since all of the test results exceeded the code requirements.