The Increase in the Elastic Range and Strengthening Control of Quasi Brittle Cement Composites by Low-Module Dispersed Reinforcement: An Assessment of Reinforcement Effects

Abstract

This paper presents the possibility of using low-module polypropylene dispersed reinforcement (E = 4.9 GPa) to influence the load-deflection correlation of cement composites. Problems have been indicated regarding the improvement of elastic range by using that type of fibre as compared with a composite without reinforcement. It was demonstrated that it was possible to increase the ability to carry stress in the Hooke’s law proportionality range in mortar and paste types of composites reinforced with low-module fibres, i.e., Vf = 3% (in contrast to concrete composites). The possibility of having good strengthening and deflection control in order to limit the catastrophic destruction process was confirmed. In this paper, we identify the problem of deformation assessment in composites with significant deformation capacity. Determining the effects of reinforcement based on a comparison with a composite without fibres is suggested as a reasonable approach as it enables the comparison of results obtained by various universities with different research conditions.