This treatise addresses the influence of the addition of short dispersed and integral fibres made of alkali-resistant glass on the fracture behaviour of textile-reinforced concrete (TRC). A series of uniaxial, deformation-controlled tension tests was performed to study the strength-, deformation-, and fracturebehaviour of thin, narrow plates made of TRC both with and without the addition of short fibres. Furthermore, uniaxial tension tests on specimens reinforced with only short fibres and single-fibre pullout tests were carried out to gain a better understanding of crack-bridging behaviour, which suppresses crack growth and widening. Various effects of the addition of short fibre on the stress-strain relationship and cracking behaviour of TRC were observed and discussed with reference to microscopic investigation of fractured surfaces.

Zur Untersuchung der Faser-Matrix-Haftung in Faser-Kunststoff-Verbunden werden neben makromechanischen Methoden wie dem Querzug und der Drei-Punkt-Biegung mikromechanische Methoden an Einzelfaser-Modellverbunden eingesetzt. Zu letzteren Methoden zählen bspw. der Tropfenabscherversuch, der Einzelfaserauszugversuch (engl. single-fibre pull-out test, SFPO) und der Einzelfaserfragmentierungsversuch (engl. single fibre fragmentation test, SFFT). Bei ihrem Einsatz ist zu beachten, dass sich unterschiedliche Einflussgrößen auf ihre Ergebnisse auswirken können. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird eine ausführliche Literaturübersicht mit einem detaillierten Überblick zu einer größeren Anzahl verschiedener Einflussgrößen durchgeführt. Daraus werden die Einflussgrößen Härtungsdauer, Feuchtigkeit, freie Faserlänge und Abzugsgeschwindigkeit als Untersuchungsgegenstände dieser Arbeit erarbeitet. Wesentliche aus dieser Arbeit resultierende Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerungen sind nachstehend zusammengefasst. Härtungsdauer: Bei SFFT-Untersuchungen an Keramikfaser/Epoxidharz-Prüfkörpern wird ein degressiver Anstieg der Faser-Matrix-Haftung über der Härtungsdauer beobachtet. Die Ergebnisse geben Hinweise darauf, dass sich die Härtungsdauer beim SFFT und SFPO prinzipbedingt unterschiedlich auswirkt (aufgrund destruktiver bzw. konstruktiver Überlagerungen von Eigenspannungen und Prüfkraft-induzierten Spannungen). Feuchtigkeit: SFPO-Untersuchungen an Kohlenstoffaser/Epoxidharz-Prüfkörpern nach einmonatiger Konditionierung in feuchtem (50 %rF, 23 °C) bzw. trockenem Klima (0 %rF, 23 °C) belegen eine feuchtebedingt verringerte Haftung. Daraus wird geschlussfolgert, dass eine schwankende Luftfeuchtigkeit auch in diesem eingegrenzten klimatischen Spektrum (bspw. in teilklimatisierten Laboren) als wichtiger potentieller Störfaktor zu beachten ist. Prüfparameter: Auf Basis des Hooke’schen Gesetzes kann für den SFPO gezeigt werden, dass die freie Faserlänge die Maximalkraft beeinflusst und die Einflüsse der freien Faserlänge und der Abzugsgeschwindigkeit auf die Maximalkraft in Zusammenhang stehen. Beides wird anhand von SFPO-Untersuchungen an Glasfaser/Epoxidharz-Prüfkörpern bestätigt. Ferner wird aus den Untersuchungen geschlussfolgert, dass eine Geschwindigkeitserhöhung von 0,01 µm/s auf 0,1 µm/s zur Reduzierung der Versuchsdauer – im vorliegenden Fall von 30 45 min auf 6 8 min – vertretbar ist. Darüber hinaus werden anhand von Fehlerverstärkungsfaktoren differenzierte Aussagen zum Einfluss fehlerhaft bestimmter Eingangsdaten auf die Berechnung der lokalen Grenzflächenscherfestigkeit generiert. / For investigating fibre-matrix adhesion in fibre-polymer composites, macromechanical methods such as transverse tensile and three-point bending tests can be applied as well as micromechanical methods for which single-fibre model composites are used. The latter category of methods includes microbond, single-fibre pull-out (SFPO) and single-fibre fragmentation tests (SFFT). When applying these methods, it needs to be considered that their results can be affected by different influencing factors. In the present thesis, an extensive literature survey with a detailed overview of a larger number of influencing factors is conducted. Based on this overview, the factors curing time, moisture, free fibre length and test speed are acquired as objects of investigation of this thesis. Main results and conclusions of this work are summarised below. Curing time: Results from SFFT investigations on ceramic fibre/epoxy-specimens exhibit a degressive increase of fibre-matrix adhesion with curing time. This indicates that curing time affects SFFT and SFPO results differently due to different underlying principles (based on destructive and, respectively, constructive superposition of internal stresses and load-induced stresses). Moisture: SFPO specimens (carbon fibre/epoxy) are conditioned in humid (50 %rH, 23 °C) and dry climate (0 %rH, 23 °C) for one month prior to testing. The results show lower adhesion due to moisture. It is concluded that uncontrolled humidity, even in this limited climatic spectrum, needs to be considered as an important potential factor of influence (e.g. in partially climatised laboratories). Test parameters: Based on Hooke’s law, it is demonstrated for the SFPO that a) the free fibre length affects the maximum force and b) the effects of the free fibre length and the test speed on the maximum force are interrelated. Both is confirmed with results from SFPO investigations on glass fibre/epoxy-specimens. Furthermore, it is deduced from the above investigations that an increase in test speed from 0.01 µm/s to 0.1 µm/s is legitimate for reducing test duration – in the present case from 30 45 min to 6 8 min. In addition, the effect of erroneously determined input data on the calculation of the local interfacial shear strength is studied using conditions numbers (a measure for the propagation of error). With this, differentiated statements are generated.

This treatise addresses the influence of the addition of short dispersed and integral fibres made of alkali-resistant glass on the fracture behaviour of textile-reinforced concrete (TRC). A series of uniaxial, deformation-controlled tension tests was performed to study the strength-, deformation-, and fracturebehaviour of thin, narrow plates made of TRC both with and without the addition of short fibres. Furthermore, uniaxial tension tests on specimens reinforced with only short fibres and single-fibre pullout tests were carried out to gain a better understanding of crack-bridging behaviour, which suppresses crack growth and widening. Various effects of the addition of short fibre on the stress-strain relationship and cracking behaviour of TRC were observed and discussed with reference to microscopic investigation of fractured surfaces.

Glass fibre composites are common materials used in high voltage applications as insulating materials that provide good structural integrity. The aim of this thesis is to develop a method of studying the failure in such materials by measuring the dielectric strength on micro- and meso- scale samples, consisting of single fibre filaments and fibre bundles respectively embedded in epoxy resin. To do this, a body of relevant knowledge has been amassed, which is complemented with finite element analysis giving detailed insight into the electric field distribution in the microstructure of fibre composites. A method of producing virtually defect free single fibre samples has been developed where a filament is hung down tubes and cast in epoxy resin. A similar method was developed for producing bundle samples, however this needs some slight correction in order to prevent exothermic reactions. The dielectric strength of these samples are measured by applying a continuously increasing voltage until discharge is recorded. To evaluate the method micro- and meso- scale samples were prepared of three different fibres and their dielectric strengths measured. This evaluation showed that the method can be used to measure a definitive lower bound in the dielectric strength of fibre composites. However, the method can not definitively determine the location of the discharge, which is necessary to verify conclusions about the materials properties. To progress the method, the dielectric strength of neat epoxy samples of the same dimensions as the fibre composite samples should be investigated. Increasing the tolerance of the measurement setup should also be investigated as this could help by increasing the power of the discharge leading to more severe damage in the material.

Short fibres of different materials are used for crack bridging in strain-hardening cement-based composites (SHCC). Their mechanical properties and the fibre-matrix interphase on the micro level have a significant influence on the macroscopic component properties. Investigations on the specific modification and adaptation of fibre properties in relation with the failure mechanisms at different strain rates hardly exist so far, since mainly commercially available fibres are used. In the frame of this work, two different fibre types – polypropylene (PP) fibres and alkali-resistant (AR) glass fibres – were produced on lab spinning devices and the properties were adapted in such a way that fundamental correlations between the influence of fibre geometry, mechanical properties, chemical functionalities and surface structure on the behaviour during fibre pull-out from the concrete matrix can be derived. The PP fibres were produced with different degrees of stretching, cross-sectional geometries (circular, trilobal) and fibre diameters, as well as without and with sizing. The resulting changes in the crystallinity of the PP structure, surface roughness and wetting behaviour could be demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), roughness measurements by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements. AR glass fibres were used in the unsized state and various chemical surface treatments were applied. Aqueous polymer dispersions of different materials were characterized in detail regarding particle size, pH value, solid content, and surface tension. In addition, their film-forming properties were evaluated using prepared polymer films. Furthermore, the influence of cross-linking agents on the thermal and mechanical stability of polyurethane sizings was investigated using thermal analysis methods. After application of the sizings to the AR glass surface, changes in surface structure and roughness could be observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and AFM. The amount of sizing, or rather the polymer content on the fibres, was systematically increased and investigated in the non-cross-linked and cross-linked state with respect to energy absorption during fibre pull-out. Using a high-strength concrete matrix, all modified PP and AR glass fibres were used to produce and test single-fibre model composites by single-fibre pull-out tests, whereby the fibre pull-out was either quasi-static or dynamic. Based on the test results, design strategies for PP and AR glass fibres were derived at the end of the thesis. / Für die Rissüberbrückung in hochduktilen Betonen (Strain-Hardening Cement-based Composites – SHCC) werden Kurzfasern verschiedener Materialien eingesetzt. Ihre mechanischen Eigenschaften und die Faser-Matrix-Grenzschicht auf der Mikroebene beeinflussen die makroskopischen Bauteileigenschaften deutlich. Untersuchungen zur gezielten Veränderung und Anpassung von Fasereigenschaften im Zusammenhang mit den Versagensmechanismen bei unterschiedlichen Dehnraten existieren bisher kaum, da überwiegend kommerziell verfügbare Fasern eingesetzt werden. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden daher zwei verschiedene Fasertypen – Polypropylen (PP)-Fasern und alkaliresistente (AR)-Glasfasern – an Laborspinnanlagen selbst hergestellt und die Eigenschaften so angepasst, dass sich grundlegende Zusammenhänge zwischen dem Einfluss von Fasergeometrie, mechanischen Eigenschaften, chemischen Funktionalitäten und Oberflächenstruktur auf das Verhalten bei Faserauszug aus der Betonmatrix ableiten lassen. Die PP-Fasern wurden mit verschiedenen Verstreckungsgraden, Querschnittsgeometrien (rund, trilobal), Faserdurchmessern sowie ohne und mit Schlichte hergestellt. Die dadurch hervorgerufenen Eigenschaftsveränderungen hinsichtlich Kristallinität der PP-Struktur, der Oberflächenrauheit und des Benetzungsverhaltens konnten durch dynamische Differenzkalorimetrie (DSC), Rauheitsmessungen mittels Rasterkraftmikroskopie (AFM) und Kontaktwinkelmessungen nachgewiesen werden. AR-Glasfasern wurden im ungeschlichteten Zustand verwendet und verschiedene chemische Oberflächenbehandlungen durchgeführt. Es wurden wässrige Polymerdispersionen verschiedener Materialien detailliert hinsichtlich ihrer Partikelgröße, pH-Wert, Feststoffgehalt und Oberflächenspannung charakterisiert sowie ihre Filmbildungseigenschaften anhand hergestellter Polymerfilme bewertet. Weiterhin wurde der Einfluss von Vernetzern auf die thermische und mechanische Stabilität von Polyurethanschlichten mit Methoden der thermischen Analyse untersucht. Nach dem Applizieren der Schlichten auf die AR-Glasoberfläche konnten Veränderungen der Oberflächenstruktur und Rauheit mit Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (REM) sowie AFM beobachtet werden. Die Schlichtemenge bzw. der Polymeranteil auf den Fasern wurde systematisch erhöht und im unvernetzten sowie vernetzten Zustand hinsichtlich der Energieabsorption bei Faserauszug untersucht. Mit allen modifizierten PP-Fasern und AR-Glasfasern wurden unter Einsatz einer hochfesten Betonmatrix Einzelfaser-Modellverbunde zur Durchführung von Einzelfaserauszugversuchen (Single-Fibre Pull-Out) hergestellt und geprüft, wobei der Faserauszug entweder quasistatisch oder dynamisch erfolgte. Basierend auf den Versuchsergebnissen wurden am Ende der Arbeit für PP-Fasern und AR-Glasfasern Designstrategien abgeleitet.

It is known that muscles that lack KATP channel activity generate much greater unstimulated [Ca2+]i and force than normal muscles during fatigue. The increase in unstimulated force in KATP channel deficient muscles is abolished by a partial inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels, suggesting that it is due to a Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels and a subsequent increased myoplasmic Ca2+. However, there is also evidence that the increase in resting force is abolished by NAC, a ROS scavenger. The objective of this study was to reconcile these observations by studying the hypothesis that “the increase in resting [Ca2+]i during fatigue in KATP channel deficient muscles starts with an excess Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, followed by an excess ROS production that causes a further increase in resting [Ca2+]i”. To test the hypothesis, single FDB fibres were fatigued with one tetanic contraction/sec for 180 sec. KATP channel deficient fibres were obtained i) by exposing wild type muscle fibers to glibenclamide, a KATP channel blocker and ii) by using fibres from Kir6.2-/- mice, which are null mice for the Kir6.2 gene that encodes for the protein forming the channel pore. Verapamil, a L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, applied at 1 μM, significantly reduced resting [Ca2+]i during fatigue in glibenclamide-exposed wild type fibres. NAC (1 mM) also reduced resting [Ca2+]i in glibenclamide-exposed muscles. The results suggest that the increase in resting [Ca2+]i during fatigue in KATP channel deficient FDB fibres is due to an influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, and an excess ROS production.

It is known that muscles that lack KATP channel activity generate much greater unstimulated [Ca2+]i and force than normal muscles during fatigue. The increase in unstimulated force in KATP channel deficient muscles is abolished by a partial inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels, suggesting that it is due to a Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels and a subsequent increased myoplasmic Ca2+. However, there is also evidence that the increase in resting force is abolished by NAC, a ROS scavenger. The objective of this study was to reconcile these observations by studying the hypothesis that “the increase in resting [Ca2+]i during fatigue in KATP channel deficient muscles starts with an excess Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, followed by an excess ROS production that causes a further increase in resting [Ca2+]i”. To test the hypothesis, single FDB fibres were fatigued with one tetanic contraction/sec for 180 sec. KATP channel deficient fibres were obtained i) by exposing wild type muscle fibers to glibenclamide, a KATP channel blocker and ii) by using fibres from Kir6.2-/- mice, which are null mice for the Kir6.2 gene that encodes for the protein forming the channel pore. Verapamil, a L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, applied at 1 μM, significantly reduced resting [Ca2+]i during fatigue in glibenclamide-exposed wild type fibres. NAC (1 mM) also reduced resting [Ca2+]i in glibenclamide-exposed muscles. The results suggest that the increase in resting [Ca2+]i during fatigue in KATP channel deficient FDB fibres is due to an influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, and an excess ROS production.