Elastic properties of cement-based composites reinforced by nano-tailored hybrid fiber

Abstract

The elastic properties of cementitious composites reinforced by nano-tailored hybrid fibers are analyzed using a micromechanical method. The microstructural feature of the hybrid fiber is that uniformly aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are grown radially on the circumferential surface of carbon fibers (CFs). The CNT waviness and CNT/cement interfacial region are considered. The predictions are compared with experiments, which guarantee the validity of the model. The mechanical properties of cementitious composites, especially in transverse direction, are enhanced due to the radial growth of CNTs on the CFs. The CNT/cement interfacial zone may have a significant effect on the elastic behavior of the nano-tailored hybrid fiber-cement composites. As the mechanical properties of interphase are higher than those of the cement matrix, increasing the interphase thickness causes an improvement in the elastic and shear moduli. The CNT non-straight shape decreases the transverse elastic modulus.

Keywords:

• Cementitious composite
• nano-tailored hybrid fiber
• carbon nanotube
• elastic properties
• micromechanics