Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.Sc.(Civil Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

abstract: The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of polypropylene fiber morphology on the tensile response of cementitious composites. Two proprietary polypropylene fibers manufactured by BASF – MAC 2200CB, a crimped monofilament macro fiber and MF40, a bundled multi filament polypropylene made up of 500 filaments,40-micron diameter each were compared. The stiff structure and crimped geometry of MAC 2200 CB was studied in comparison with the multifilament MF40, which provide a higher surface area and a bundled fiber effect. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed on individual fibers to study fiber strength and failure pattern at three different gage lengths. The interaction of these 2 fibers with cement matrix was studied under varying strain rate, embedded fiber length and matrix mixes by a series of quassi - static fiber pullout tests. Unidirectional filament wound composite laminates were manufactures with the two fibers and only MF40 woven textiles were used to manufacture MF40 textile reinforced composites. The mechanical behavior of polypropylene fiber and textile reinforced cementitious composites subjected to static tensile loading with the effects of fiber type and dosage, textile weave and dosage, matrix formulations, processing techniques etc. is studied. Evolution of distributed cracking mechanism and local strain fields was documented using digital image correlation (DIC) and correlated with the tensile response and stiffness degradation. VIC 3D-7, commercial software developed by Correlated Solutions, Inc. was used to run the DIC analysis for the tensile tests on laminates. The DIC technique was further used for automated determination of crack density, crack spacing, and characterizing damage evolution. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Civil Engineering 2017

The mechanical properties of the polymer-modified mortar are markedly improved over conventional cement mortar. We utilized recycled ABS in powder form and a polymer latex emulsion, polymer percentage ranges from 0 to 25 percent by polymer/cement ratio were investigated. The mechanical properties investigated were compression strength and adhesion strength. Compression strength effects did not have an impact on adhesion strength. Adhesion strength was calculated with pullout testing apparatus designed by the author. Results indicate that recycled ABS had a lower adhesive strength than the acrylic latex emulsion and the base mortar, but did increase in adhesive strength when mixed with maleic-anhydride. The adhesive strength was investigated for a Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) made of an "E" glass fiber that is a continuous strand roving oriented and pre-tensioned longitudinally in an isopthalic polyester matrix material. The FRP rebar was compared to standard steel rebars, and found that the standard steel corrugated rebar had a higher adhesive strength, due to mechanical interlocking. This was clarified by measurements using a smooth steel rebar. Characterization of the polymer-modified mortar was conducted by pore analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Scanning Electron Microscopy was implemented to view the polymer particles, the cement fibrils formed by the hydration, and to prove Ohama's theory of network structure.

Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Reinforced concrete is susceptible to cracking. This makes it less durable than it would be had it been crack-free. Ingress of harmful substances into reinforced concrete through cracks – which causes corrosion of steel – is not desirable. This can be mitigated by the use of fibre reinforced-concretes or mortars showing strain hardening properties accompanied by improved ductility and multiple cracking under tensile loading. Such materials are called Strainhardening cementitious composites (SHCC’s). At Stellenbosch University, work has been done in previous years on SHCC to determine its behaviour under various loading conditions. Some of the aspects of the material that have been studied are the behaviour under uni-axial tensile loading, uni-axial compression and shear. The behaviour of SHCC under biaxial stresses was investigated to enable the prediction of the material behaviour under complex stress conditions. Square plate specimens of nominal dimensions 100 x 100 x 20 mm were cast and subjected to biaxial compressive loading at stress path angles of 00, 150, 300 and 450; which were equivalent to vertical/horizontal stress ratios of 0/1, 0.27/1, 0.58/1 and 1/1 respectively, at ages 23 to 33 days. Comparisons were made between specimens tested using steel platens and those tested using Vesconite sheets. Those tested using Vesconite yielded lower failure stresses. Vesconite was used to reduce the retraining effect of the frictional force between the specimens and the steel platens. Poisson’s ratios were calculated for specimens tested using steel and those tested using Vesconite. The values for Vesconite were found to be higher than for steel. Additionally, the values for the uni-axial case were different from those obtained for other stress ratios. This could have been due to the assumption made that plane stress was realised and that Elastic moduli in tension and in compression was the same. The possibility of the existence of a triaxial stress state could render the calculated Poisson’s ratios incorrect. Shear slip type failure accompanied by wedging was observed. Vertical to near diagonal cracks were evident on the front faces of the specimens for the stress path angles of 00 to 450 respectively. The observed crack patterns showed closely spaced multiple micro-cracking on the narrow edges of specimens indicating Strain-hardening behaviour. The stress-strain curves also showed a slight indication of strain-hardening where tensile strains were measured. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gewapende beton is vatbaar vir krake. Dit maak dit minder duursaam as wanneer dit kraak-vry is. Instroming van skadelike stowwe in gewapende beton deur middel van krake - wat korrosie van staal veroorsaak - is nie wenslik nie. Dit kan verbeter word deur die gebruik van veselversterkte beton of mortel wat vervormingsverharding eienskappe toon, vergesel deur verbeterde rekbaarheid en veelvuldige krake onder trekspanning. Sulke materiaal word Strainhardening cementitious composites (SHCC's) genoem. Die Universiteit Stellenbosch, het in vorige jare werk gedoen om SHCC se gedrag te bepaal onder verskillende belastingstoestande. Sommige van die aspekte van die materiaal wat bestudeer is, is gedrag onder uni-aksiale trek, uni-aksiale druk en skuif. Die gedrag van SHCC onder biaksiale spannings is ondersoek om voorspelling van materiaalgedrag onder komplekse spanningstoestande moontlik te maak. Vierkantige plaat monsters van nominale dimensies 100 x 100 x 20 mm is gemaak en aan biaksiale drukkragte onderwerp, met spannningspad hoeke van 00, 150, 300 en 450; wat soortgelyk is aan die horisontale spanning verhoudings van 0/1, 0.27/1, 0.58/1 en 1/1 onderskeidelik, op ouderdomme 23-33 dae. Vergelykings is getref tussen monsters getoets met staal plate en diegene getoets word met Vesconite plate. Die proefstukke getoets met Vesconite het laer falingsspannings opgelewer. Vesconite is gebruik om die uitwerking van die wrywingskrag tussen die monsters en die staal plate te verminder. Poisson se verhouding is bereken vir die staal en Vesconite monsters afsonderlik. Daar is gevind dat die Vesconite waarde hoër was as die vir staal. Daarbenewens het die waardes vir die uni-aksiale geval, verskil van dié vir ander spanningsverhoudings. Dit kan wees as gevolg van die aanname van vlakspanning en dat die Elastiese moduli in druk en in trek dieselfde is. Die moontlikheid van die bestaan van 'n drie-dimensionele spanningstoestand, kan beteken dat die berekende Poisson’s verhoudings onakkuraat is. Skuif-glip tipe faling, vergesel deur vaswigting is waargeneem. Vertikale tot feitlik diagonale krake is duidelik sigbaar op die voorkant van die monsters vir spanningspadhoeke van 0-450 onderskeidelik. Die waargeneemde kraak patrone het nou gespasieerde, veelvuldige mikro-krake op die smal randte van die monsters, wat dui op vervormingsverharding. Die spanningsvervormings kurwes het ook effense aanduidings getoon van die vervormingsverharding waar trekvervorming gemeet is.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2009. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-64). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 261-275).

Currently in the UK, composite blends of Portland cement (PC) and blastfurnace slag (up to 90%) are commonly used for the encapsulation of low and intermediate level wastes. The high volume replacement of PC is considered necessary in order to to reduce the high heat generation resulting from cement hydration in 500 litre waste packages. While suited to the majority of waste streams, the high pH environment in such systems (usually around 12.5 -13), will cause the corrosion of certain waste metals such as aluminium. Since aluminium is only passive between pH4 - 8.5, the use of an alternative low-pH cement system could serve to reduce/inhibit the corrosion. However, before such cements can be considered, two main research problems must be addressed, as follows: (1) quantitative evaluation of alternative cement systems based on their corrosion performance with aluminium; (2) high heat generation due to the rapid rate of hydration. The research in this thesis was thus divided into two strands, as follows: (1) The design and development of a novel, scientifically robust testing facility for the quantitative monitoring of aluminium corrosion in cement pastes; (2) the development of novel cement composites based on weakly alkaline calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement for the encapsulation of aluminium from nuclear wastes. The output from this research is considered to be of interest to the UK nuclear industry.

An experimental study was conducted on the strength and toughness characteristics of concrete made from recycled aggregate, cement and fly ash reinforced with reclaimed high density polyethylene plastic (HDPE) fibers. The objectives of the investigation were: (1) to evaluate the performance of a sustainable concrete containing up to 90% recycled materials; (2) to determine the variation of strength and toughness with a Fiber Factor incorporating length, width and amount of HDPE fibers; (3) to identify the best performing mix design based on tensile strength and toughness and (4) to provide some guidelines for the use of this sustainable composite in Civil Engineering construction. The results showed that the HDPE fiber reinforcements did not improve the compressive strength of the mixture. However, HDPE fibers improved the ductility and toughness which may be beneficial for structural and pavement applications. / by Roody Numa. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.