Title:
Effect of Sand Addition on Properties of Fiber-Reinforced
Cement Composites
Author(s):
Yilmaz Akkaya, Alva Peled, Jeffrey D. Picka, and Surendra P Shah
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
97
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
393-400
Keywords:
fiber reinforcement; cement; sand.
DOI:
10.14359/9880
Date:
5/1/2000
Abstract:
The effect of sand addition on the mechanical properties of cast and extruded polyvinyl acetate fiber-reinforced cement composites was investigated. The addition of sand increased the strength of the plain cement paste, but decreased the mechanical performance of the fiber reinforced cement composites. To understand the behavior of the composites, microstructural properties such as fiber dispersion, alignment, and composite porosity were investigated and statistically quantifiied. The reduction in the performance of the composites with sand was found to be a result of the differences in fiber dispersion, composite porosity, and interaction between the fiber and the matrix. Fiber clumping, increase in the size and number of fiber-free areas, and higher matrix porosity were observed in the composites when sand was used.