Advanced Materials (CAE309b) 2019

Assignment (3) (Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites)

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1) Define the critical volume fraction and calculate the critical volume fraction for the
different cases:
1. Aligned continuous fiber.
2. Aligned short fiber (0.5 mm diameter x 50 mm long).
3. Short random fibers (0.5 mm diameter x 90 mm long (3-D orientation).
Assume tensile strength of cement matrix (σmu) = 5.0 MN/m2, Em =17.0 GN/m2, Ef =
70.0 GN/m2, sliding friction bond stress ()= 6.0 MN/m2 and σf = 1500 MN/m2.
Compare between your results and comment. Also determine the change in
concrete properties before cracking in the previous cases if the efficiency factor for
orientation in case 3 is 1/5.

2) A cracked slab will be constructed using short random fiber in 3- D orientation. Steel
fiber with 4 percent by weight of fibers will be used. The fibers to be used are 0.50
mm diam. X 40.0 mm long with an average sliding friction bond stress (1) of 5.0
MN/m2. Calculate the post cracking tensile strength. If the post cracking tensile
strength is 3.6 MN/m2, find the appropriate cheapest method to achieve this
value. (Change l /d, Vf or ).
Assume, When the aspect ratio (l /d) is greater than 100, the cost of 1.0 m3 of
concrete increases by 100.0 L.E. For each 1.0 MN/m2 increase of friction bond stress
() more than 1, the cost of 1.0 m3 of concrete increases by 60.0 L.E. the price of one
kg of fiber is 6.0 L.E. Steel density = 7850 kg/m3 and concrete density = 2400 kg/m3.

3) A cracked highway pavement slab with 300 mm is reinforced with 2.5 percent of
random steel fibers (3-D). The fibers to be used are 0.4 mm (diameter) x 50.0 mm
(length) with an average sliding friction bond stress ( ) of 5.5 MN/m2 and ultimate
tensile strength (σfu ) of 1650.0 MN/m2. Find the post cracking tensile strength in
this case and also find both the post cracking and pre-cracking tensile strength
(C) of aligned continuous fiber with 0.65 mm diameter (mu = 3.5 MN/m2).

4) Figure 1 shows the dimensions of fiber reinforced concrete pipe subjected to internal
pressure (p). Calculate the internal pressure (p) corresponding to both cracking tensile
strength (mu) and the post cracking strength of concrete pipe. Assume, the tensile
strength of cement matrix (σmu) = 4.5 MN/m2, Vf = 8.0 %, sliding friction bond stress
()= 5.0 MN/m2 and σfu = 1600 MN/m2 , the length of used short fiber = 60 mm and
the diameter = 0.5 mm.
 Inner Diameter = 80.0 cm
Outer Diameter = 100 cm

Internal pressure
p

Fiber Reinforced Concrete Pipe

Figure 1