The objective of this research was to analyze the strength and deformation characteristics of a cement-treated base (CTB) constructed using full-depth reclamation, microcracked, and then surfaced with a single chip seal. In this field study, strength characteristics of the CTB layer were determined at the time of construction, and then both strength and deformation characteristics were evaluated after 9 months of low-volume, heavy truck traffic. After 9 months, observed distresses included transverse cracking, rutting, and chip seal joint failure. The loss of the chip seal was caused by poor chip seal construction practices and not a deficiency in the CTB layer. The importance of the role of the chip seal as a wearing course was made evident by these failures since the exposed CTB often exhibited material loss. The average ride qualities in and out of the wheel path were in the fair ride category; the roughness was not likely caused by trafficking but probably resulted from construction or climatic factors. Structural testing performed after 9 months of service indicated that the CTB stiffness and modulus were greater than the values measured after microcracking at the time of construction, indicating continued strength gain. However, trafficking over the 9-month period had caused significantly lower stiffnesses measured in the wheel paths than between the wheel paths. The average unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the cores tested at 9 months was not significantly different than the average UCS of the field-compacted specimens tested at 6 weeks. Based on the observed performance of the CTB and chip seal evaluated in this research, recommendations for improved CTB performance include the use of a thicker and/or stiffer CTB layer, ensuring a smooth CTB surface during construction, and application of a double chip seal or equivalent.

The in vitro production of ceramic implants used for cranial defect repair can be challenging and complex. In this thesis, a raw material in such a production has been mapped in order to optimize the production process. The current production leaves variations in the handling properties of the calcium phosphate cement (CPC), such as the viscosity and setting performance. The problems originate from the in-house recrystallization of the raw material monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) with a 70% ethanol solution. The treatment of MCPM is strongly dependent on the relative humidity and the current process is not reliable and leaves unwanted fluctuations in the quality of MCPM. Various material and process parameters were investigated to get a deeper knowledge of MCPM in the specific process. The mapping resulted in new information about how the MCPM recrystallizes and how it depends on the evaporation of the ethanol solution during the treatment. Other findings were that the particle size distribution of MCPM is not the only factor controlling the viscosity of the CPC; the density and shape of the MCPM particles may also influence the handling properties. The mapping led to a process optimization suggestion where the amount of ethanol solution is adjusted to the relative humidity during the recrystallization to neutralize the effect of the humidity. The adjustment of ethanol solution volume means the evaporation can be controlled and in theory, constant quality of MCPM can be maintained. Unfortunately, the new method needs additional data to be fully effective but shows great potential.

The viscoelastic behavior of concrete, nearly completely attributable to changes in properties in the cement paste, is an ongoing area of research with the objective of avoiding unpredictable response and potentially failure of concrete structures. This research explores the elastic and viscoelastic response in cement paste beams using relaxation testing, with and without strain reversals in the load history. It was seen that strain reversal imparts significant changes in mechanical response, retarding load relaxation. Companion beams were tested for chemical composition at varying depths in the beam section and the results were compared to those of control specimens not subject to stress. Results indicate significant variations in composition implying that stress accelerates the hydration process. The reasons behind the acceleration are discussed and incorporated into a preliminary solidification-dissolution model for beam relaxation. The model, though in need of improvement through further research, shows promise in potentially predicting relaxation in cement paste and by extension, in concrete structures. / Ph. D.

Le ciment Portland est de loin le liant hydraulique le plus connu et utilisé depuis de très nombreuses années tant dans le secteur de la construction civile qu’au niveau du stockage des déchets (barrières ouvragées ou matériau de confinement). Le processus industriel qui donne naissance au clinker, constituant de base du ciment Portland, n’a pas subi de modifications depuis des décennies. <p>Par ailleurs, au cours de ces dernières années, certaines considérations telles que le réchauffement climatique et le développement durable ont mis à mal les industries qui émettent des gaz à effets de serre et qui sont grosses consommatrices d’énergie. <p>Or, la production de ciment Portland n’est pas uniquement consommatrice de calcaires, d’argiles, de marnes et de combustibles fossiles, elle produit et libère ces gaz à effets de serre tels que le dioxyde de carbone (CO2) et l’hémioxyde nitreux (N2O). Le dioxyde de soufre (SO2), l’acide chlorhydrique (HCl) ainsi que d’autres oxydes d’azote (NOx) sont également émis lors du processus de fabrication du clinker. Le secteur des matériaux de construction contribue de façon importante aux émissions de CO2, le principal responsable du réchauffement climatique.<p>La problématique majeure de l’industrie cimentière provient d’un simple processus chimique de transformation :la décarbonatation du calcaire ou de la craie, débutant vers 550°C, qui forme de la chaux (CaO) et qui libère du dioxyde de carbone selon la réaction suivante :<p><p>CaCO3 =\ / Doctorat en sciences, Spécialisation géologie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Rammed earth is a technique of forming in-situ structural wall elements using rigid formwork. Advantages of rammed earth walls include flexibility in plan form, scope for adjusting strength and wall thickness, variety of textural finishes, lower embodied carbon and energy, etc. There is a growing interest in the construction of rammed earth buildings in the recent past. Well focused comprehensive studies in understanding the structural performance of rammed earth structures are scanty. Clear-cut guidelines on selecting soil grading and soil characteristics, assessing strength of rammed earth walls, density strength relationships, limits on shrinkage, standardised testing procedures, behaviour of rammed earth walls under in-plane and out of plane loads, etc are the areas needing attention. The thesis attempts to address some of these aspects of cement stabilized rammed earth for structural walls. Brief history and developments in rammed earth construction with illustrations of rammed earth buildings are presented. A review of the literature on rammed earth has been provided under two categories: (a) Unstabilised or pure rammed earth and (b) stabilised rammed earth. Review of the existing codes of practice on rammed earth has also been included. Summary of the literature on rammed earth along with points requiring attention for further R&D are discussed. Objectives and scope of the thesis are listed. The thesis deals with an extensive experimentation on cement stabilised rammed earth (CSRE) specimens and walls. Four varieties of specimens (cylindrical, prisms, wallettes and full scale walls) were used in the experiments. A natural soil and its reconstituted variants were used in the experimental work. Details of the experimental programme, characteristics of raw materials used in the experimental investigations, methods of preparing different types of specimens and their testing procedures are discussed in detail. Influence of soil grading, cement content, moulding water content, density and delayed compaction on compaction characteristics and strength of cement stabilised soil mixes were examined. Five different soil gradings with clay content ranging between 9 and 31.6% and three cement contents (5%, 8% and 12%) were considered. Effect of delayed compaction (time lag) on compaction characteristics and compressive strength of cement stabilised soils was examined by monitoring the results up to 10 hours of time lag. Influence of moulding water content and density on compressive strength and water absorption of cement stabilised soils was examined considering for a range of densities and water contents. The results indicate that (a) there is a considerable difference between dry and wet compressive strength of CSRE prisms, and the strength decreases as the moisture content at the time of testing increases, (b) wet strength is less than that of dry strength and the ratio between wet to dry strength depends upon the clay fraction of soil mix and cement content, (c) saturated moisture content depends upon the cement content and the clay content of the soil mix, (d) optimum clay percentage yielding maximum compressive strength is about 16%, (e) compressive strength of compacted cement stabilised soil increases with increase in density irrespective of cement content and moulding moisture content, and the strength increases by 300% for 20% increase in density from 15.70 kN/m3, (f) compressive strength of rammed earth is one - third higher than that of rammed earth brick masonry and (g) density decreases with increase in time lag and there is 50% decrease in strength with 10 hour time lag. Stress-strain relationships and elastic properties of cement stabilised rammed earth are essential for the analysis of CSRE structural elements and understanding the structural behaviour of CSRE walls. Influence of soil composition, density, cement content and moisture on stress-strain relationships of CSRE was studied. Three different densities (15.7 – 19.62 kN/m3) and three cement percentages (5%, 8% and 12% by weight) were considered for CSRE. Stress-strain characteristics of CSRE and rammed earth brick masonry were compared. The results reveal that (a) in dry condition the post peak response shows considerable deformation (strain hardening type behaviour) beyond the peak stress and ultimate strain values at failure (dry state) are as high as 3.5%, which is unusual for brittle materials, (b) modulus for CSRE increases with increase in density as well as cement content and there is 1 to 3 times increase as the cement content changes from 5% to 12%. Similarly the modulus increases by 2.5 to 5 times as the dry density increases from 15.7 to 19.62 kN/m3 and (c) the modulus of CSRE and masonry in dry state are nearly equal, whereas in wet state masonry has 20% less modulus. Compressive strength and behavior of storey height CSRE walls subjected to concentric compression was studied. The results of the wall strength were compared with those of wallette and prism strengths. The wall strength decreases with increase in slenderness ratio. There is nearly 30% reduction in strength as the height to thickness ratio increases from 4.65 to 19.74. It was attempted to calculate the ultimate compressive strength of CSRE walls using the tangent modulus theory. At higher slenderness ratios, there is a close agreement between the experimental and predicted values. The storey height walls show lateral deflections as the load approaches failure. The walls did not show visible buckling and the shear failure patterns indicate material failure. The shear failures noticed in the storey height walls resemble the shear failures of short height wallette specimens. The thesis ends with a summary of the results with concluding remarks in the last chapter.

Rammed earth is a monolithic construction formed by compacting processed soil in progressive layers. Rammed earth is used for the construction of load bearing walls, floors, sub base material in roadways, airport runways, taxiways, aprons, foundations and earthen bunds. Soil, sand, cement and water are the ingredients used for the preparation of cement stabilized rammed earth (CSRE) specimens. The cracking in a rammed earth structure is due to the development of tensile stresses. The tensile stresses are generated due to various causes like unequal settlement of foundation, eccentric loading and / or lateral loading such as wind pressure and earthquake on an earth structure. The cracking in a rammed earth structure causes the failure of its intended function. For example formation of crack may lead to the instability of an embankment slope. And earthen dam can be destroyed gradually by erosion of soil at the crack surface (Harison et al. 1994). Hence, it becomes important to understand the fracture behaviour of cement-stabilized rammed earth structures. Well focused studies in understanding the fracture behaviour of CSRE structures are scanty. The present work attempts to address some issues on the fracture behaviour of CSRE including size effect. Through an experimental programme material properties viz. compressive strength, tensile strength and stress-strain relationships are generated for two chosen densities, 17 and 18.5 kN/m3 of CSRE both in dry and saturated condition. Soil composition, density, cement content and moisture content of the specimen during testing influence the characteristics of CSRE. In the present investigation keeping the cement at 10%, the density is varied choosing a soil-sand mixture having optimum grading limits. The basic raw materials used are soil, sand, cement and water in the ratio of 1 : 1.5 : 0.25 : 0.34 by weight. The strength properties studied alone are inadequate to predict the mechanics of fracture due to the presence of microscopic flaws, cracks, voids and other discontinuities. Therefore, some linear elastic fracture parameters such as mode I fracture toughness (KIc), critical energy release rate (GIc), net section strength (f net) and notch sensitivity are calculated, presuming that CSRE is still a brittle material because it is yet to be confirmed that CSRE is a quasibrittle material. In fact, in the present work, it is shown that CSRE has significant amount of softening. A comprehensive experimental work has been undertaken to test CSRE beam specimens for two densities, three sizes of beam and three notch to depth ratios under three point bending (TPB) in a closed loop servo-controlled machine with crack mouth opening displacement control. Results indicate that the CSRE in dry condition exhibits a greater resistance to fracture than the saturated specimen. The variation of net section strength with the notch depth is not significant. Therefore the CSRE material is notch insensitive, implying that it is less brittle. An experimental program was undertaken to determine the nonlinear fracture parameters of beam specimens both in dry and saturated condition. The influence of moisture content, density, size of the specimen as well as notch to depth ratio of the specimen on RILEM fracture energy (G F ) are presented. The GF values increase with increase in density and size of the specimen, while they decrease with increase in notch to depth ratio. Results clearly show that the total energy absorbed by the beams (W OF ) and RILEM fracture energy (G F ) for all specimens tested in dry state are higher compared to the specimens tested in saturated state, indicating that the dry specimen offers higher resistance to the crack propagation. The RILEM fracture energy GF , determined from TPB tests, is said to be size dependent. The assumption made in the work of fracture is that the total strain energy is utilized for the fracture of the specimen. The fracture energy is proportional to the size of the fracture process zone (FPZ), which also implies that size of FPZ increases with increase in the un-cracked ligament (d - a) of beam. This also means that FPZ is proportional to the depth d for a given notch to depth ratio, because for a given notch/depth, (d - a) which is also is proportional to d because is a constant. This corroborates the fact that fracture energy increases with size. Interestingly, the same conclusion has been drawn by Karihaloo et al. (2006). They have plotted a curve relating fracture process zone length and overall depth the beam. In the present study a new method namely Fracture energy release rate method proposed by Muralidhara et al. (2013) is used. In the new method the plot of GF /(d - a) versus (d - a) is obtained from a set of experimental results. The plot is found to follow power law and showed almost constant value of GF /(d - a) at larger ligament lengths. This means the fracture energy reaches a constant value at large ligament lengths reaffirming that the fracture energy from very large specimen is size-independent. This Fracture energy release rate method is used to determine size-independent fracture energy GRf , based on the relationship between RILEM fracture energy and the un-cracked ligament length. The experimental results from the present work agree well with the proposed new method. Similarly, the method is extended to determine nominal shear strength τv for large size beam. Results show that for both densities GRf decrease in saturated condition, while in dry condition as the density is increased from 17 to 18.5 kN/m3 the GRf decrease by 7.58%, indicating that the brittleness increases with higher density. The τv for large size beam increases with density both in dry and saturated condition. The size effect method for evaluating material fracture properties proposed by Bazant (1984) is applied to cement stabilised rammed earth. By measuring the peak loads of 2D geometrically similar notched beam specimens of different sizes, nonlinear fracture parameters such as fracture energy (Gf ), fracture toughness (KIc), effective length of the fracture process zone (Cf ), brittleness number (β), characteristic length (l 0) and the critical crack tip opening displacement (CT ODc) are determined for both dry and saturated conditions. The crack growth resistance curves (R-curve) are also developed for dry and saturated specimens. In the size effect method, for both densities 18.5 and 17 kN/m3 the values of nonlinear fracture properties, namely G f , Cf , KIc, CT ODc and l 0 are lower for the saturated specimen compared to those of the dry specimen. In dry condition as the density is increased from 17 to 18.5 kN/m3 the Gf decreases to 13.54%, indicating that the brittleness increase with higher density. The areas under the load-displacement and load-CMOD curves are a measure of the fracture energy and these areas are low for saturated specimens. The crack growth resistance curves (R-curve) plotted using the size-effect law from peak loads are the measure of resistance against crack growth R. The value of R is high for dry specimen compared to that of the saturated specimens. During aggregate pullout or the opening of crack, the interlock or friction between the crack surfaces may cause the energy dissipation through friction and bridging across the crack. Therefore the wet friction in case of saturated specimen must be smaller resulting in more brittleness compared to the larger dry friction for dry specimen. In the present investigation the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique is used to study the FPZ properties in cement stabilised rammed earth. The MATLAB package written by Eberl et al. (2006) is suitably modified and used for image correlation to suit our requirements. CMOD measured using DIC technique is validated by comparison with the CMOD measured using clip gauge. The FPZ properties such as the development of FPZ and crack opening displacements at different loading points as well as the influence of notch/depth ratio on FPZ length (lFPZ ) are evaluated for both dry and saturated conditions. At peak load the lFPZ are about 0.315 and 0.137 times the un-cracked ligament length respectively for specimens tested under dry and saturated conditions. In dry and saturated states the FPZ length decreases as the ratio increases. Lower values of lFPZ in saturated specimen indicates that it is relatively more brittle compared to dry specimen.

During the production of concrete is important the careful selection of raw materials. Nowadays, we are trying in the production to minimize the economic burden and to maximize the use of secondary raw materials. This work is focused on the use of secondary raw materials from the energy industry in construction for the preparation of hydraulic binders. As the main raw materials were used different power plant fly ash from fluidized combustion. The composition of these secondary materials is quite different from conventional high-temperature ash, due to mixing with water they solidify and harden. Experiments were performed with three lodge fly ash from electrostatic precipitators of the fluidized combustion and one high-temperature fly ash. This work is focused on the possibility of monitoring the use of these secondary materials in construction, especially when tests were evaluated characteristics of strength and speed of setting and hardening.

One of the most prominent measurable parameters of the development of phases and phase transformations in inorganic systems are undoubtedly the volume changes of silicate matrix. The study of volume changes is crucial in the terms of usable durability of final product. They represent shrinkage or expansion of the material and may lead to significant decrease of technological and ecological parameters and often to complete destruction of these materials. Most often the volume changes can be observed when cement is used as a binder and in concretes, mortars, artificial aggregates and other similar materials. There are many methods to detect, define and determine the volume changes qualitatively or quantitatively. The development of phases was investigated as a part of the dissertation thesis and hence the volume changes were observed under the conditions closest to the real state in the construction industry. The raw materials and admixtures were selected which model the content of hazardous components present in conventional materials (both natural and secondary), used in construction and the relationship with volume changes was searched and demonstrated. The contacts for measuring the volume changes were attached to test surfaces of specimens and the physical - mechanical tests (volume changes, phase changes, strength, etc.), chemical analysis and ecotoxicity tests depending on the length of hydration were performed.

MSc (Chemistry) / Department of Chemistry / Increasing health and environmental concern about the effects of most toxic heavy metals emitted from cement plants in developing countries, which are going through rapid development, has led to this study. Cement industry in South Africa has been the primary industry over the years contributing immensely to infrastructure development and economic growth. Cement has been used to build many large cities, industries, homes, bridges and shopping malls around the country and still continue to be used by constructors. At this point, there has been no other substitute for cement and it will continue to be produced for decades to come. Unfortunately, this industry is now known to be amongst the major environmental polluters. Less has been done to address the adverse effects that comes with the production of cement, especially in the developing countries where there is huge demand for cement. This study focusses on dust emanating from production processes especially cement manufacturing from rotary kiln stage during production of cement and cement bricks. The production of cement and cement bricks generate dust, which is distributed over large areas of the environment. In South Africa, there are a number of factories in operation without proper planning of pollution prevention and compliance to environmental legislature. Since the production of cement is associated with the release of dust containing heavy metals, the dust is atmospherically deposited on the land, water surfaces and residential areas. The soil, street pavements, wetlands and water surfaces have become the sinks of heavy metals. Heavy metals that are being deposited include arsenic, cadmium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, copper, barium, antimony, selenium, vanadium, nickel and lead. Such metals pose health threat to the animals, plants and human beings living around the cement factories. These metals can easily be leached out from the soil and washed to the water bodies causing water pollution. Old processing techniques have been found to be inefficient to prevent emission of dust to the atmosphere. Hence, the emission of the toxic heavy metals to the environment was uncontrollable. Since cement is used to produce cement bricks, the whole process is subjected to heavy metals being discharged with dust from the factory to the surrounding environment. Four papers (I, II, III and V) were written to assess the level of heavy metals. In paper I, water and plants samples (Bidens Pilosa, Phragimites Australis and Xanthium Strumarium) were collected in the Mvudi River nearby a cement factory. Sampling was done before, within and after the wetland. Samples were digested with nitric acid for analysis. The concentration of zinc, chromium and lead were determined in the samples using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectromentry. Results showed that the concentrations of zinc, chromium and lead were above the permissible limits in different parts of the plants analysed and water. The pH of water samples were below the threshold recommended by Department of water affairs and forestry (DWAF) and World health organisation (WHO). In paper II, seven soils at different distance, seven soils below soil surface at seven different layers and a bulk were sampled nearest to the cement brick making factory. Bulk sample was separated into five particle sizes (2 - 3 mm, 1 - 2 mm, 0.5 - 1 mm, 0.5 mm). Five sediments samples were also collected before, within and after the wetland along Mvudi river. Modified three step BCR sequential extraction was applied to the 23 samples in order to obtain the metal distribution in the samples. Heavy metal concentrations of nickel and chromium were determined using graphite atomic absorption spectrometry. Results showed that the levels of nickel and chromium exceeded the permissible limits recommended by WHO. Elevated concentrations Ni and Cr in soil and sediments also showed that the cement brick making factory is the main source of pollution in the area. To assess the contribution of cement dust to heavy metal pollution from the cement plants to the surrounding environment, two studies were carried out in the vicinity of two cement plants one in Thabazimbi and the other in Pretoria. Two papers (III and IV) were written from the studies and were summarised as follows: In paper III, dust samples were collected along the road leading to and passing by the cement plant in Thabazimbi, South Africa. The samples were collected using a brush and pan into sampling bags. After sampling dust samples were sieved into three particle size fractions (PM125, PM75, and PM32). A bulk and five samples were collected beneath the soil at different depth for depth analysis nearest to the cement plant. Water samples were collected along the Crocodile River before and after the cement plant site. The samples were digested using aqua ragia and extracted using Modified BCR sequential extraction. The samples were analysed using inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for concentration of platinum group metals and x-ray fluorescence for elementary analysis (XRF). Analysis of samples included characterisation of the dust samples using x-ray diffraction (XRD). The vi concentrations were also compared to that of the control study (blank) area to find out if the metals were discharged from the cement factories of interest. In paper IV, street dust samples were collected randomly on the paved surfaces, on the streets and accessible residential and roadsides on locations close to the cement plant in Pretoria. Some samples were collected along the road leading to the gate of the factory and also on the road near the cement plant. The samples were collected into sampling bags using a brush and pan. After sampling dust samples were sieved into three particle size fractions (PM125, PM75 and PM32). A bulk and five samples were collected beneath the soil at different depth for depth analysis nearest to the cement plant. Water samples were collected along the Apies River before and after the cement plant. All samples were kept in a cooler box with ice bags to keep them in good condition. The samples were digested using aqua ragia and extracted using Modified BCR sequential extraction. Results were used to establish spatial distribution of the heavy metals around the urban streets. The samples were analysed using ICP-OES for concentration of heavy metals and XRF. Analysis of samples included characterisation of the dust samples using XRD. The concentrations were also compared to that of the control study (blank) area to find out if the metals were discharged from the cement factories of interest. In paper V, seven different vegetables (spinach/Spinacia oleracea, Chinese cabbage/Brassica rapa, onion/Allium cepa, beetroot/Beta vulgaris, sweet potatoes/Ipomoea batatas, tomatoes/ Lycopersicon esculentum and cabbage/Brassica pekinensis), fruits (bananas/Musa acuminate) and their soils taken after uprooting them were sampled in farming area close to Thohoyandou town and the cement factory. The concentrations of cadmium, nickel and manganese were measured using the graphite atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Cadmium, nickel and manganese levels were found above permissible limits proposed by Food agricultural organisation (FAO) and WHO in edible parts of vegetables, fruits and soils and hence, may pose a health risk to consumers. Similarly the results from XRF also showed high concentration of the heavy metals in soil analysed. The aim of this project is to determine the levels of toxic heavy metals carried with dust emanating from cement factories. This assessment is meant to identify and highlight the levels of heavy metals in areas that are close to cement factories. The study will develop a database of heavy metals in affected areas and the pollution impact to the affected environments. / NRF

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Strain Hardening Cement Based Composite (SHCC) is a type of High Performance Fibre Reinforced Cement-based Composite (HPFRCC). SHCC contains randomly distributed short fibres which improve the ductility of the material and can resist the full tensile load at strains up to 5 %. When SHCC is subjected to tensile loading, fine multiple cracking occurs that portrays a pseudo strain hardening effect as a result. The multiple cracking is what sets SHCC aside from conventional Reinforced Concrete (RC). Conventional RC forms one large crack that results in durability problems. The multiple cracks of SHCC typically have an average crack width of less than 80 μm (Adendorff, 2009), resulting in an improved durability compared to conventional RC. The aim of this research project is to quantify the cracking behaviour of SHCC which can be used to quantify the durability of SHCC. The cracking behaviour is described using a statistical distribution model, which represents the crack widths distribution and a mathematical expression that describes the crack pattern. The cracking behaviour was determined by measuring the cracks during quasi-static uni-axial tensile tests. The cracking data was collected with the aid of a non-contact surface strain measuring system, namely the ARAMIS system. An investigation was performed on the crack measuring setup (ARAMIS) to define a crack definition that was used during the determination of the cracking behaviour of SHCC. Several different statistical distributions were considered to describe the distribution of the crack widths of SHCC. A mathematical expression named the Crack Proximity Index (CPI) which represents the distances of the cracks to each other was used to describe the crack pattern of SHCC. The Gamma distribution was found to best represent the crack widths of SHCC. It was observed that different crack patterns can be found at the same tensile strain and that the CPI would differ even though the same crack width distribution was found. A statistical distribution model was therefore found to describe the CPI distribution of SHCC at different tensile strains and it was established that the Log-normal distribution best describes the CPI distribution of SHCC. After the cracking behaviour of SHCC was determined for quasi-static tensile loading, an investigation was performed to compare it to the cracking behaviour under flexural loading. A difference in the crack widths, number of cracks and crack pattern was found between bending and tension. Therefore it was concluded that the cracking behaviour for SHCC is different under flexural loading than in tension. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: “Strain Hardening Cement-based Composite” (SHCC) is ‘n tipe “High Performance Fibre Reinforced Cement-based Composite” (HPFRCC). SHCC bevat kort vesels wat ewekansig verspreid is, wat die duktiliteit van die material verbeter en dit kan die maksimum trekkrag weerstaan tot en met ‘n vervorming van 5 %. Wanneer SHCC belas word met ‘n trekkrag, vorm verskeie fyn krake wat ‘n sogenaamde vervormingsverharding voorstel. Die verskeie krake onderskei SHCC van normale bewapende beton. Normale bewapende beton vorm een groot kraak met die gevolg dat duursaamheidsprobleme ontstaan. Die gemiddelde kraakwydte van SHCC is minder as 80 μm (Adendorff, 2009) en het dus ‘n beter duursaamheid as normale bewapende beton. Die doel van die navorsingsprojek is om die kraak gedrag van SHCC te kwantifiseer en wat dan gebruik kan word om die duursaamheid van SHCC te kwantifiseer. Die kraak gedrag is beskryf deur ‘n statistiese verspreiding model wat die kraak wydtes se verspreiding voorstel en ‘n wiskundige uitdrukking wat die kraak patroon beskryf. Die kraak gedrag was bepaal deur die krake te meet tydens die semi-statiese een-asige trek toetse. Die kraak data was met behulp van ‘n optiese vervormings toestel, naamlik die ARAMIS, versamel. ‘n Ondersoek is gedoen op die kraak meetings opstelling (ARAMIS), om ‘n kraak definisie te definieer wat gebruik is om die kraak gedrag te bepaal. Daar is gekyk na verskeie statistiese verdelings om die kraak wydtes van SHCC te beskryf. Die kraak patroon van SHCC is beskryf met ‘n wiskundige uitdrukking genoem die “Crack Proximity Index” (CPI) wat die krake se afstande van mekaar voorstel. Dit is bevind dat die Gamma verdeling die kraak wydtes van SHCC die beste beskryf. Daar is waargeneem dat verskillende kraak patrone by dieselfde vervorming verkry kan word en dat die CPI kan verskil al is die kraak wydte verdeling dieselfde. ‘n Statistiese verdelingsmodel is dus gevind om die CPI verdeling van SHCC te beskryf by verskillende vervormings, en daar is vasgestel dat die Log-normaal verdeling die CPI verdeling van SHCC die beste beskryf. Nadat die kraak gedrag van SHCC bepaal is vir semi-statiese trek-belasting, is ‘n ondersoek gedoen waar die trek-kraak gedrag vergelyk is met buig-kraak gedrag. ‘n Verskil in die kraak wydtes, aantal krake en kraak patroon is gevind tussen buiging en trek. Dus is die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die kraak gedrag van SHCC verskillend is in buiging as in trek.