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Review
. 2020 Dec 2;13(23):5495.
doi: 10.3390/ma13235495.

Fracture Models and Effect of Fibers on Fracture Properties of Cementitious Composites-A Review

Peng Zhang  1 , Yonghui Yang  1 , Juan Wang  1 , Meiju Jiao  1 , Yifeng Ling  2
Affiliations
Review

Fracture Models and Effect of Fibers on Fracture Properties of Cementitious Composites-A Review

Peng Zhang et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

Cementitious composites have good ductility and pseudo-crack control. However, in practical applications of these composites, the external load and environmental erosion eventually form a large crack in the matrix, resulting in matrix fracture. The fracture of cementitious composite materials causes not only structural insufficiency, but also economic losses associated with the maintenance and reinforcement of cementitious composite components. Therefore, it is necessary to study the fracture properties of cementitious composites for preventing the fracture of the matrix. In this paper, a multi-crack cracking model, fictitious crack model, crack band model, pseudo-strain hardening model, and double-K fracture model for cementitious composites are presented, and their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed. The multi-crack cracking model can determine the optimal mixing amount of fibers in the matrix. The fictitious crack model and crack band model are stress softening models describing the cohesion in the fracture process area. The pseudo-strain hardening model is mainly applied to ductile materials. The double-K fracture model mainly describes the fracture process of concrete. Additionally, the effects of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers and steel fibers (SFs) on the fracture properties of the matrix are analyzed. The fracture properties of cementitious composite can be greatly improved by adding 1.5-2% PVA fiber or 4% steel fiber (SF). The fracture property of cementitious composite can also be improved by adding 1.5% steel fiber and 1% PVA fiber. However, there are many problems to be solved for the application of cementitious composites in actual engineering. Therefore, further research is needed to solve the fracture problems frequently encountered in engineering.

Keywords: cementitious composites; fracture property; model; polyvinyl alcohol fiber; steel fiber.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Bending load–deflection curve model of thin plate (ACK model).
Figure 2
Figure 2
FC model.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Bilinear tensile softening curve of concrete.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Difference between Gf and GF in the load–displacement curve [30].
Figure 5
Figure 5
CB model.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Crack propagation characteristics.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Typical σ-δ constitutive relation for the cementitious composite [38].
Figure 8
Figure 8
Image of a single fiber being pulled out.
Figure 9
Figure 9
P-CMOD curve of concrete.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Fracture analysis with four phase (non-linear) [50]. (a) Initial crack, (b) stable crack propagation, (c) instability, and (d) instability.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Effect of the PVA fiber content on the P-COMD curve [65].
Figure 12
Figure 12
Effect of the PVA fiber length on the flexural strength vs. mid-span deflection curve of the matrix [72].
Figure 13
Figure 13
Microscopic images of cracked beams with different fiber lengths and volume fractions, including bridging fibers [73]. (a) PVA length of 8 mm and fiber content of 1%, (b) PVA length of 12 mm and fiber content of 1%, (c) PVA length of 8 mm and fiber content of 2%, and (d) PVA length of 12 mm and fiber content of 2%.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Microscopic images of cracked beams with different fiber lengths and volume fractions, including bridging fibers [73]. (a) PVA length of 8 mm and fiber content of 1%, (b) PVA length of 12 mm and fiber content of 1%, (c) PVA length of 8 mm and fiber content of 2%, and (d) PVA length of 12 mm and fiber content of 2%.
Figure 14
Figure 14
Effect of the fiber oil content on the bond performance of the matrix [43]. (a) Frictional bond, (b) chemical bond.
Figure 15
Figure 15
Failure mode of matrix [76]. (a) Mortar, (b) oil-coated PVA, and (c) PVA coated without oil.
Figure 16
Figure 16
Effects of the SFs content and type on the load–deflection curve [84]. (a) Micro-straight SFs (%), (b) hooked-end SFs (%).
Figure 17
Figure 17
Effects of the SFs content on the load–deflection curve [86].
Figure 18
Figure 18
Typical load–deflection curves [87].
Figure 19
Figure 19
Effects of the SF fiber type and content on Gf [84,89]. (a) Ratio of water to cementitious materials: 0.16, (b) water–binder ratio: 0.195.
Figure 20
Figure 20
Effects of SFs and PVA fibers on the flexural strength and mid-span deflection of cementitious composites [99].
Figure 21
Figure 21
Load–displacement curve for the pullout of a single fiber [100].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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