Study on the Fiber-Matrix Bonding Properties of Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete at Multiple Scales
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 9
Abstract
This study provides a systematic evaluation of the pullout behavior of steel fibers embedded in ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) with calcium carbonate whiskers and carbon nanotubes at the micrometer and nanoscale levels. This study investigated mechanical and the bonding properties of the matrix at two different scales using the compressive test, flexural test, and single-fiber pullout test, which are important for the further improvement of concrete. The results show that at a specific dosage, both calcium carbonate whiskers and carbon nanotubes effectively improve the compressive and flexural properties of concrete. The pullout behavior at both scales is significantly optimized compared with the reference system. Comparing the bonding strength and pullout energy at the two scales, the calcium carbonate whiskers are better at improving the fiber-matrix bonding properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the pulled-out fibers. The fracture mechanism of the matrix and the influence of the added material on the bonding properties of the matrix were validated microscopically.
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Data Availability Statement
All data included in this study are available upon request from the corresponding author.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support “Ten Thousand Talents” High-level Talent Support Project of Yunnan Province (2020).
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 9 • September 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 19, 2022
Accepted: Mar 6, 2023
Published online: Jun 29, 2023
Published in print: Sep 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Nov 29, 2023
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