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UBC Theses and Dissertations

Development of FRP based composite fibre for fibre reinforced cementitious composites Farooq, Mohammed

Abstract

This thesis describes a method of development of a novel fibre based on fibre reinforced polymers (FRP), for use fibre reinforcement in concrete. Thermosetting epoxy resin matrix were reinforced with E-glass, S-glass, and Carbon fibre to produce different types of composite fibres. The FRP panels were produced using the Vacuum Infusion technique, and then cut to different fibre sizes. The volume fractions of reinforcements within the FRP fibre were controlled by using woven and unidirectional fabrics. The number of layers of reinforcing fibres were also changed, to obtain the optimal thickness of the fibres. The FRP material was characterized by means of tensile tests and microscope image analysis. Four different compositions of FRP were produced with tensile strengths ranging from 195 MPa to 950 MPa. The different combinations in geometry broadened the total number of fibres investigated to 12. Single fibre pullout tests were performed to obtain the fundamental fibre-matrix interfacial bond parameters for the different FRP fibres. The FRP fibres, being hydrophilic, along with having a unique rough surface texture, showed a good bond with cement matrix. A bond strength superior to industrially available straight steel fibres and crimped polypropylene fibres has been observed. The 3 best fibres were then chosen to examine the flexural behaviour FRP fibre reinforced concrete beams. The optimized FRP fibres, one each of Glass FRP and Carbon FRP were then further investigated to study the effect of matrix maturity, temperature, fibre inclination, and loading rate on the fibre-matrix interfacial behaviour using single fibre pullout tests. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis was carried out to identify the effect of above-mentioned factors on the surface characteristics of the fibre. An attempt was also made to optimize the fibre-matrix interface to achieve an optimized failure mechanism by coating the fibre with oil. The ability of the fibre to transfer stresses across a cracked section over extended periods has been investigated by means of fibre-relaxation tests. Finally, to assess durability, the fibres were conditioned at high pH and high temperature after which single fibre pullout, direct tension tests, & SEM analysis were conducted.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International