• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2009

This paper provides a brief summary of the performance of an innovative slip hardening twisted steel fiber in comparison with other fibers including straight steel smooth fiber, high strength steel hooked fiber, SPECTRA (high molecular weight polyethylene) fiber and PVA fiber. First the pull-out of a single fiber is compared under static loading conditions, and slip rate-sensitivity is evaluated. The unique large slip capacity of T-fiber during pullout is based on its untwisting fiber pullout mechanism, which leads to high equivalent bond strength and composites with high ductility. Due to this large slip capacity a smaller amount of T-fibers is needed to obtain strain hardening tensile behavior of fiber reinforced cementitious composites. Second, the performance of different composites using T-fibers and other fibers subjected to tensile and flexural loadings is described and compared. Third, strain rate effect on the behavior of composites reinforced with different types and amounts of fibers is presented to clarify the potential application of HPFRCC for seismic, impact and blast loadings.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.18 no.3E
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• pp.207-211
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• 2006

This paper presents an experimental study on the repair performance of sprayed engineered cementitious composites(ECC) serving as a repair material. Sprayable ECC, which exhibit tensile strain-hardening behavior in the hardened state and maintain sprayable properties in the fresh state, have been developed by using a parallel control of micromechanical design and rheological process design. The effectiveness of sprayable ECC in providing durable repaired structures was assessed by spraying the ECC and testing them for the assessment. The experimental results revealed that, when sprayed ECC were used as a repair material, both load carrying capacity and ductility represented by the deformation capacity at peak load of the repaired flexural beams were obviously increased compared to those of commercial prepackaged mortar(PM) repaired beams. The significant enhancement in the energy absorption capacity and tight crack width control of the ECC repair system treated with wet-mix spraying process suggests that sprayed ECC can be effective in extending the service life of rehabilitated infrastructures.

• Magazine of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.22-26
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• 2015

• Magazine of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.27-31
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• 2015

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.439-440
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• 2010

The Air content has a great effect on the Tensile Strain of Strain-Hardening Cement Composites. We analyze the Tensile Properties of SHCC with variations of air content from the laboratory test.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2009.05b
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• pp.93-96
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• 2009

This study is to examine a change of quality and a material performance of fiber reinforced cement composite for mass production. It is necessary to make Strain-hardening cementitious composite(SHCC) by batcher plant for ready-mixed concrete and use the performance of SHCC which made based on laboratory level. This study makes a comparative performance of press and mechanics that is the property of Strain-hardening by direct tension. In case of making by batcher plant. This experiment has demonstrated that even if it takes long after being mixed small and compared with the one which made based on laboratory, it has a tendency to be dissatisfied with fiver's dispersion and lower its performance of Strain-hardening. The reason why the material performance of SHCC for mass production went down is through SHCC that mixed sometimes matrix's viscosity and fiber's dispersion.