Title: Effect of Fiber Type on Impact and Abrasion Resistance of Engineered Cementitious Composite

Author(s): Mohamed K. Ismail, Assem A. A. Hassan, and Mohamed Lachemi

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 115

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 957-968

Keywords: abrasion resistance; cement-based composites; fiber types; impact resistance; mechanical properties

DOI: 10.14359/51710960

Date: 11/1/2018

Abstract:
An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties, impact energy absorption, and abrasion resistance of engineered cementitious composite (ECC) reinforced with different fiber types. The impact resistance of the developed mixtures was assessed using ACI drop-weight and flexural impact loading tests. Rotating-cutter and sandblasting tests were used to investigate the surface resistance to abrasion. The fibers used were 13 mm (0.51 in.) polypropylene (PE13) fibers, 8 and 12 mm (0.32 and 0.47 in.) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA8 and PVA12) fibers, and 13 mm (0.51 in.) steel fibers (SF13). Conventional normal concrete (NC) made with 10 mm (0.39 in.) coarse aggregate was also tested in this investigation for comparison. Composites with either PE13 or PVAs (PVA8 and PVA12) appeared to exhibit higher ductility, strain hardening, and cracking activity compared to composites with SF13. However, SF13 had the most effective influence on improving the compressive and tensile strengths, impact energy absorption, and surface abrasion resistance. The impact resistance results in both drop-weight and flexural impact loading tests indicated that fibered-ECC mixtures exhibited significantly higher impact resistance compared to the NC mixture at comparable strength. On the other hand, according to the results of the rotating-cutter and sandblasting tests, the NC mixture appeared to have better abrasion resistance compared to ECC with PE13, PVA8, and/or PVA12.