Influence of Fiber Dispersion on the Performance of Microfiber Reinforced Cement Composites

Enhanced elastic behavior, pseudo-strain hardening response and toughened post-peak response are the characteristics of high performance fiber reinforced composites. Investigated in this study is the effect of dispersion of fibers on the multiple cracking behavior of fiber reinforced composites. To record the location of crack initiation, sequence of multiple cracking and corresponding cracking stresses, the study used electronic speckle pattern interfometry technique. Microstructural parameters are statistically quantified by the theory of point processes at each crack location. The study calculated the size of the fiber free areas and fiber clumping at the crack cross sections. Also calculated was the fracture toughness of the matrix by using linear elastic fracture mechanics. The study results indicate that the toughness of the composite depends on the fiber clumping at the first crack cross section.