MICROSTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE BOND MECHANISM BETWEEN POLYOLEFIN FIBERS AND CEMENT PASTES

Polyolefin fibers have a cylindrical shape with a smooth surface, which makes bonding with cement paste more difficult to achieve than it is with steel fibers. However, concrete containing polyolefin fibers display a good toughness and tensile strength, which is of great interest for shotcrete applications. Shotcrete is concrete or mortar that is pneumatically projected at a sufficient velocity to achieve proper in-place compaction. This article reports on a study that investigated polyolefin bond mechanisms in shotcrete. In the study, the effects of hydration reaction and of the mixing of fibers on the bond between the fiber and the paste were investigated in both the concrete mixture and its pore solution. Three cement types commonly used in the field were tested. Test results using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the morphology of the fiber changes with cement hydration and mixing. The low superficial hardness of polyolefin fibers, compared with steel fibers, allows it to change its morphology and increase bond with the paste. Hydrate infiltration in the superficial layer of the fiber increases the bond between paste and fiber. The authors also comment on the use of two shotcrete mix designs, one with polyolefin fibers and another with steel fibers, on the repair of a dock in the Port of Montreal.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00088846
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier

  The Boulevard, Langford Lane
  Kidlington, Oxford  United Kingdom  OX5 1GB
• Authors:
  • Tagnit-Hamou, A
  • Vanhove, Y
  • Petrov, N
• Publication Date: 2005-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 364-370
• Serial:
  • Cement and Concrete Research
  • Volume: 35
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0008-8846
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00088846

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adhesive bond strength; Cement paste; Electron microscopy; Fiber reinforced concrete; Hydration; Microstructure; Morphology; Polymer fibers; Pore water; Shotcrete
• Uncontrolled Terms: Polyolefin fibers; Transition zones
• Geographic Terms: Montreal (Canada)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00989034
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 29 2005 12:00AM