• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2007

The fiber dispersion in fiber-reinferced cementitious composites is a crucial factor with respect to achieving desired mechanical performance. However, evaluation of the fiber dispersion in the composite PVA-ECC (polyvinyl alcohol-engineered cementitious composite) is extremely challenging because of the low contrast of PVA fibers with the cement-based matrix. In the present work, a new evaluation method is developed and demonstrated. Using a fluorescence technique on the PVA-ECC, PVA fibers are observed as green dots in the cross-section of the composite. After capturing the fluorescence image with a charged couple device (CCD) camera through a microscope, the fiber dispersion is evaluated using an image processing technique and statistical tools. In this image processing technique, the fibers are more accurately detected by employing an enhanced algorithm developed based on a discriminant method and watershed segmentation. The influence of fiber orientation on the fiber dispersion evaluation was also investigated via shape analyses of fiber images.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.438-444
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• 2019

In this study, the effect of polypropylene fiber on the freeze-thaw damage of mortar was evaluated experimentally. The effects of the reinforcing of polypropylene fiber on the compressive and bending performance of mortar after 300 cycles of freeze-thaw test were evaluated by comparing the normal mortar and the mortar with polyvinyl alcohol fiber. In addition, the mass loss, relative dynamic elastic modulus, and cumulated pore volume of mortar were measured by each cycle of freeze-thaw test. As a result, it was confirmed that the fiber reinforced mortar, regardless of the fiber type, was effective not only in maintaining the performance of the compressive strength and the bending strength but also suppressing the mass loss after the freeze-thaw test of 300 cycles. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that not only polyvinyl alcohol fibers but also polypropylene fibers can effectively act to suppress the damage of the mortar by freeze-thaw. However, in order to improve the freeze-thaw resistance of mortar mixed with polypropylene fiber, it is necessary to increase the bonding performance with the cement matrix which can be expected from polyvinyl alcohol fiber.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.17-23
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• 2007

As polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) filament yarn is commercially used in many fields due to its high strength and modulus properties. This research was carried out to study the dyeing behavior of PVA and to find out appropriate dye for better dyeing. As the dyeing behavior of PVA fiber is similar to cellulose due to the same functional group, reactive and vat dyes were selected for the dyeing. Color strength of PVA fibers treated with vat dyes was found to be better than those with reactive dyes, because of the low fixation of reactive dye on fibers. Most of the reactive dye may became hydrolyzed, and flushed away with water in washing. Colorfastness to laundering was shown to be very high for both of the reactive-dyed and vat-dyed PVA fibers.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.343-352
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• 2010

A zirconia gel/polymer hybrid nanofiber was produced in a nonwoven fabric mode by electrospinning a sol derived from hydrolysis of zirconium butoxide with a polyvinyl butyral. Results indicated that the hydroxyl groups on the vinyl alcohol units in the backbone of the polymer were involved in the hydrolysis as well as grafting the hydrolyzed zirconium butoxide. In addition, use of acetic acid as a catalyst resulted in further hydrolysis and condensation in the sol, which led to the growth of -Zr-O-Zr- networks among the polymer chains. These networks gradually transformed into a crystalline zirconia structure upon heating. The as-spun fiber was smooth but partially wrinkled on the surface. The average fiber diameter was $690{\pm}110\;nm$. The fiber exhibited a strong but broad blue photoluminescence with its maximum intensity at a wavelength of ~410 nm at room temperature. When the fiber was heat-treated at $400^{\circ}C$, the fiber diameter shrunk to $250{\pm}60\;nm$. Nanocrystals which belonged to a tetragonal zirconia phase and were ~5 nm in size appeared. A strong white photoluminescence was observed in this fiber. This suggests that oxygen or carbon defects associated with the formation of the nanocrystals play a role in generating the photoluminescence. Further heating to $800^{\circ}C$ resulted in a monoclinic phase beginning to form In the heat-treated fibers, coloring occurred but varied depending on the heating temperature. Crystallization, coloring, and phase transition to the monoclinic structure influenced the photoluminescence. At $600^{\circ}C$, the fiber appeared to be fully crystallized to a tetragonal zirconia phase.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2012

Cement has been traditionally used as a main binding material of high ductile fiber reinforced cementitious composites. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of using alkali-activated slag and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers for manufacturing high ductile fiber reinforced cementless composites. Two mixture proportions with proper flowability and mortar viscosity for easy fiber mixing and uniform fiber dispersion were selected based on alkali activators. Then, the slump flow, compression, uniaxial tension and bending tests were performed on the mixes to evaluate the basic properties of the composites. The cementless composites showed an average slump flow of 465 mm and tensile strain capacity of approximately 2% of due to formation of multiple micro-cracks. Test results demonstrated a feasibility of manufacturing high ductile fiber reinforced composites without using cement.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.108-111
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• 2004

The polypropylene(PP) fiber is poised as a low cost alternative for reinforcement in structural applications in comparison with other high performance fibers, such as the polyvinyl-alcohol(PVA), polyethylene, carbon and aramid fiber. The mechanical properties of the composite are strongly determined by the interfacial behavior of fiber and cementitious matrix. The crack bridging mechanism contribute to composite toughness from activation of the fiber-matrix interface where energy is dissipated through debonding of the interface and fiber pullout. In this study, therefore, the pullout behavior of PP fibers is investigated. Experimental work includes the investigation of the interfacial properties, and the composite property. The quantification of interfacial properties, the frictional bond is achieved through single fiber pullout test. A study on the effect of inclination angle on fiber pullout behavior is also conducted.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.199-220
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• 2018

In this study, the effects of sulphuric acid on the mechanical performance and the durability of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) specimens were investigated. The carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) fabrics were used to evaluate the performances of the confined and unconfined ECC specimens under static and cyclic loading in the acidic environment. In addition, the use of CFRP and BFRP fabrics as a rehabilitation technique was also studied for the specimens exposed to the sulphuric acid environment. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber with a fraction of 2% was used in the research. Two different PVA-ECC concretes were produced using low lime fly ash (LCFA) and high lime fly ash (HCFA) with the fly ash-to-OPC ratio of 1.2. Unwrapped PVA-ECC specimens were also produced as a reference concrete and all concrete specimens were continuously immersed in 5% sulphuric acid solution ($H_2SO_4$). The mechanical performance and the durability of specimens were evaluated by means of the visual inspection, weight change, static and cyclic loading, and failure mode. In addition, microscopic changes of the PVA-ECC specimens due to sulphuric acid attack were also assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand the macroscale behavior of the specimens. Results indicated that PVA-ECC specimens produced with low lime fly ash (LCFA) showed superior performance than the specimens produced with high lime fly ash (HCFA) in the acidic environment. In addition, confinement of ECC specimens with BFRP and CFRP fabrics significantly improved compressive strength, ductility, and durability of the specimens. PVA-ECC specimens wrapped with carbon FRP fabric showed better mechanical performance and durability properties than the specimens wrapped with basalt FRP fabric. Both FRP materials can be used as a rehabilitation material in the acidic environment.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of types of synthetic fibers on mechanical properties of alkali-activated slag composite. Materials and mixture proportion for matrix are determined, and the compressive strength, tensile performance, and cracking patterns of three composites reinforced by polypropylene, polyvinyl-alcohol, and polyethylene fibers. From the test results, it was observed that polyvinyl-alcohol fiber-reinforced composite and polyethylene fiber-reinforced composite had similar tensile performance. On the other hand, polypropylene fiber-reinforced composite showed low tensile performance. And it was exhibited that other factors except tensile strength and aspect ratio of fiber influence significantly tensile behavior of composite.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.171-174
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• 2009

This study analyzes the change of the basic characteristics of pavement concrete according to the reinforcement of macro-fiber and the results of the study can be summarized as follows. In the case of the compressive strength of the concrete, the fiber reinforced pavement concrete shows a small decreasing level compared to the basic mixing of pavement concrete (hereafter referred as 'Plain') based on the aging of 28 days. In particular, the polypropylene fiber made in Korea represents a decrease in the strength about 12% compared with that of the Plain. In the case of the tensile strength, it shows certain improvements in the tensile performance compared with that of the Plain. In particular, in the case of the polyvinyl alcohol fiber that shows the largest improvement in tensile performance, it shows an increase in its strength about 21%. In the case of the bending strength, there are no improvements in its strength in the fiber reinforced concrete compared to that of the Plain.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.745-748
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• 2006

This study investigates the fundamental properties and examines spalling appearances and residual compressive strength of high strength concrete containing hybrid organic fibers subjected to fire. Test showed that overall, an increase of fiber content decreased the fluidity of concrete, but specimens containing polyvinyl alcoho(PVA)+polypropylene(PP) fiber and nylon(NY)+PP fiber had improved flow. In addition, the air content of all specimens was properly ranged in target value, regardless of fiber content. As for the spalling properties when completed the fire test, control concrete exhibited spalling occurrence due to sudden elevated temperature. However, specimens containing more than 0.1 vol% of PP fiber prevented the spalling, while specimens containing PP+CL and PVA+PP fiber can protected from fire in more than 0.15vol% of the fiber content. Importantly, a specimen containing only 0.05vol% of NY+PP showed the favorable spalling resistance performance.