Fracture and fatigue of natural fiber-reinforced cementitious composites

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of resistance-curve behavior and fatigue crack growth in cementitious matrices reinforced with eco-friendly natural fibers obtained from agricultural by- products. The composites include: blast furnace slag cement reinforced with pulped fibers...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cement & concrete composites 2009-04, Vol.31 (4), p.232-243
Main Authors: Savastano, H, Santos, S F, Radonjic, M, Soboyejo, W O
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:This paper presents the results of an experimental study of resistance-curve behavior and fatigue crack growth in cementitious matrices reinforced with eco-friendly natural fibers obtained from agricultural by- products. The composites include: blast furnace slag cement reinforced with pulped fibers of sisal, banana and bleached eucalyptus pulp, and ordinary Portland cement composites reinforced with bleached eucalyptus pulp. Fracture resistance (R-curve) and fatigue crack growth behavior were studied using single-edge notched bend specimens. The observed stable crack growth behavior was then related to crack/microstructure interactions that were elucidated via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Fracture mechanics models were used to quantify the observed crack-tip shielding due to crack-bridging. The implications of the results are also discussed for the design of natural fiber- reinforced composite materials for affordable housing.
ISSN:0958-9465
DOI:10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2009.02.006