Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Rheology, fiber dispersion, and robust properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Materials and Structures Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The capability of processing robust Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) materials with consistent mechanical properties is crucial for gaining acceptance of this new construction material in various structural applications. ECC’s tensile strain-hardening behavior and magnitude of tensile strain capacity are closely associated with fiber dispersion uniformity, which determines the fiber bridging strength, complementary energy, critical flaw size and degree of multiple-crack saturation. This study investigates the correlation between the rheological parameters of ECC mortar before adding PVA fibers, dispersion of PVA fibers, and ECC composite tensile properties. The correlation between Marsh cone flow rate and plastic viscosity was established for ECC mortar, justifying the use of the Marsh cone as a simple rheology measurement and control method before fibers are added. An optimal range of Marsh cone flow rate was found that led to improved fiber dispersion uniformity and more consistent tensile strain capacity in the composite. When coupled with the micromechanics based ingredient-tailoring methodology, this rheological control approach serves as an effective ECC fresh property design guide for achieving robust ECC composite hardening properties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Li VC (2007) Integrated structures and materials design. RILEM J Mater Struct 40(4):387–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Maalej M, Hashida T, Li VC (1995) Effect of fiber volume fraction on the off-crack plane energy in strain-hardening engineered cementitious composites. J Am Ceram Soc 78(12):3369–3375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Li VC, Wu C, Wang S, Ogawa A, Saito T (2002) Interface tailoring for strain-hardening polyvinyl alcohol-engineered cementitious composites (PVA-ECC). ACI Mater J 99(5):463–472

    Google Scholar 

  4. Li VC, Wang S (2002) Flexural behavior of GFRP reinforced engineered cementitious composites beams. ACI Mater J 99(1):11–21

    Google Scholar 

  5. Fischer G, Li VC (2002) Effect of matrix ductility on deformation behavior of steel reinforced ECC flexural members under reversed cyclic loading conditions. ACI Struct J 99(6):781–790

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kesner K, Billington SL (2002) Experimental response of precast infill panels made with DFRCC. DFRCC-2002 International Workshop. Takayama, Japan, pp 289–298

  7. Parra-Montesinos G, Wight JK (2000) Seismic response of exterior RC column-to-steel beam connections. J Struct Eng 126(10):1113–1121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Li VC, Li M (2008) Durability performance of ductile concrete structures. Proceedings of the 8th international conference on creep, shrinkage and durability of concrete and concrete structures, Ise-Shima, Japan, pp 761–768

  9. Sahmaran M, Li M, Li VC (2007) Transport properties of engineered cementitious composites under chloride exposure. ACI Mater J 104(6):604–611

    Google Scholar 

  10. Li M, Li VC (2009) Influence of material ductility on the performance of concrete repair. ACI Mater J 106(5):419–428

    Google Scholar 

  11. Li M, Li VC (2011) Cracking and healing of engineered cementitious composites under chloride environment. ACI Mater J 108(3):333–340

    Google Scholar 

  12. Li VC, Van Zijl GPAG, Wittmann F (2010) Durability of strain-hardening fibre-reinforced cement-based composites state of the art report, p 139

  13. Li VC, Li M, Lepech M (2006) High performance material for rapid durable repair of bridges and structures. Michigan DOT Report RC-1484

  14. Kunieda M, Rokugo K (2006) Recent progress on HPFRCC in Japan. J Adv Concr Tech 4(1):19–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Lepech MD, Li VC (2009) Application of ECC for bridge deck link slabs. RILEM J Mater Struct 42(9):1185–1195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Li VC, Fischer G, Lepech M (2009) Shotcreting with ECC. In: Kusterle W (ed) Proceedings CD, Spritzbeton-Tagung, Austria

  17. Li M, Li VC (2011) High-early-strength engineered cementitious composites for fast, durable concrete repair: material properties. ACI Mater J 108(1):3–12

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hughes BP, Fattuhi NI (1976) The workability of steel-fiber-reinforced concrete. Mag Concr Res 28(9):157–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Rossi P (1992) Mechanical behavior of metal-fibre reinforced concretes. Cem Concr Compos 14(1):3–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Grunewald S (2004) Performance-based design of self-compacting fiber reinforced concrete. PhD Thesis. Section of Structuring and Building Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands

  21. Dhonde HB, Mo YL, Hsu TTC, Vogel J (2007) Fresh and hardened properties of self-consolidating fiber-reinforced concrete. ACI Mater J 104(5):491–500

    Google Scholar 

  22. Martinie L, Rossi P, Roussel N (2010) Rheology of fiber reinforced cementitious materials: classification and prediction. Cem Concr Res 40:226–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Swamy RN, Mangat PS (1974) Influence of fiber-aggregate interaction on some properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete. Mater Struct 7(41):307–314

    Google Scholar 

  24. Banfill PFG, Starrs G, Derruau G, McCarter WJ, Chrisp TM (2006) Rheology of low carbon fiber content reinforced cement mortar. Cem Concr Compos 28(9):773–780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Markovic I (2006) High-performance hybrid-fiber concrete: development and utilization. PhD Thesis, Department of Underground Infrastructure, Delft University of Technology

  26. Bui VK, Geiker MR, Shah SP (2003) Rheology of fiber-reinforced cementitious materials. In: Conference of High performance fiber-reinforced cement composites (HPFRCC4), Springer, Netherlands, pp 221–231

  27. Kuder KG, Ozyurt N, Mu EB, Shah SP (2007) Rheology of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites. Cem Concr Res 37:191–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Ozyurt N, Mason TO, Shah SP (2007) Correlation of fiber dispersion, rheology and mechanical performance of FRCs. Cem Concr Compos 29(2):70–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Boulekbache B, Hamrat M, Chemrouk M, Amziane S (2010) Flowability of fibre-reinforced concrete and its effect on the mechanical properties of the material. Construct Build Mater 24(9):1664–1671

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ferrara L, Park YD, Shah SP (2007) A method for mix-design of fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete. Cem Concr Res 37:957–971

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Chung DDL (2005) Dispersion of short fibers in cement. ASCE J Mat’l Civ Eng 17(4):379–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Yang EH, Sahmaran M, Yang Y, Li VC (2009) Rheological control in the production of engineered cementitious composites. ACI Mater J 106(04):357–366

    Google Scholar 

  33. Marshall DB, Cox BN (1988) A J-integral method for calculating steady-state matrix cracking stresses in composites. Mech Mater 8:127–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Li VC, Leung CKY (1992) Theory of steady state and multiple cracking of random discontinuous fiber reinforced brittle matrix composites. J Eng Mech ASCE 118(11):2246–2264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Kanda T, Li VC (1999) A new micromechanics design theory for pseudo strain hardening cementitious composite. ASCE J Eng Mech 125(4):373–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Lin Z, Li VC (1997) Crack bridging in fiber reinforced cementitious composites with slip-hardening interfaces. J Mech Phys Solids 45(5):763–787

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Li VC, Wang S (2006) Microstructure variability and macroscopic composite properties of high performance fiber reinforced cementitious composites. J Probab Eng Mech 3(21):201–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Bingham EC (1922) Fluidity and plasticity. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  39. Malek RIA, Roy DM (1991) Modeling the rheological behavior of cement pastes: a Review. Advances in cementitious materials ceramic transactions. The American Ceramic Society, Esterville, pp 31–40

  40. Schleibinger Testing Systems, http://www.schleibinger.com. Accessed on 13 Aug 2009

  41. Banfill PFG (1991) The rheology of fresh mortar. Mag Concr Res 43(154):13–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Ferrais CF, de Larrard F (1998) Testing and modeling of fresh concrete rheology interagency report 6094, National Institute of Standards and Technology

  43. Flatt R, Larosa D, Roussel N (2006) Linking yield stress measurements: spread test versus Viskomat. Cem Concr Res 36(1):99–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. ASTM D6910-04 Standard test method for marsh funnel viscosity of clay construction slurries

  45. Roussel N, Roy RL (2005) The Marsh Cone: a test or a rheological apparatus? Cem Concr Res 35(5):823–830

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Stang H (2003) Scale effects in FRC and HPFRCC structural elements. High performance fiber reinforced cementitious composites. In: Naaman AE, Reinhardt HW (eds) RILEM Proceedings Pro 30, pp 245–258

  47. Torigoe S, Horikoshi T, Ogawa A, Saito T, Hamada T (2003) Study on evaluation method for PVA fiber distribution in engineered cementitious composite. J Adv Concr Tech 1(3):265–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Ferrara L, Meda A (2006) Relationships between fibre distribution, workability and the mechanical properties of SFRC applied to precast roof elements. Mater Struct 39(4):411–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Lee BY, Kim JK, Kim JS, Kim YY (2009) Quantitative evaluation technique of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber dispersion in engineered cementitious composites. Cem Concr Compos 31(6):408–417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Spring RS, Davidson MW (2009) Introduction to fluorescence microscopy. Nikon Microscopy U. http://www.microscopyu.com/articles/fluorescence/fluorescenceintro.html. Accessed on 6 Jun 2009

  51. Li M (2009) Multi-Scale Design for Durable Repair of Concrete Structures, PhD Dissertation, University of Michigan

  52. Yang EH, Garcez E, Li VC (2012) Development of pigmentable engineered cementitious composites for architectural elements through integrated structures and materials design. J Mater Struct 45:425–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Michigan Department of Transportation and the U.S. National Science Foundation MUSES (Materials Use: Science, Engineering, and Society) Grant (CMS-0223971) and Metamorphix Global, Inc. for partially funding this research. The authors would also like to thank Professor Shuichi Takayama and Dr. Hao Chen at the University of Michigan Department of Biomedical Engineering for their helpful discussions on florescence microscopy.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, N 132 Engineering Bldg 1, 4800 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX, 77204-4003, USA

    Mo Li

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 2350 Hayward Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2125, USA

    Victor C. Li

Authors
  1. Mo Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Victor C. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Victor C. Li.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Li, M., Li, V.C. Rheology, fiber dispersion, and robust properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites. Mater Struct 46, 405–420 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-012-9909-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-012-9909-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation