Long-term performance of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites: Fid-Bau Portal

Long-term performance of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites

Bentur, A.

Fiber-reinforced cementitious composites have become viable construction materials in recent years, serving a variety of applications as fiber-reinforced concretes where the fibers act as secondary reinforcement and as thin sheet composites where the fibers function as primary reinforcement. A range of products using different types of fibers and matrices have been introduced into the construction market and even more are at the development stage. A key issue in any new construction material is its long-term performance. In the case of fiber-reinforced cement, attention is usually given to the durability of the fiber in the highly alkaline cementitious matrix, implying sometimes that this is the only issue that should be dealt with in resolving long-term performance. The present chapter reviews the various processes which may lead to durability problems in these composites, showing that fiber durability is only one of several mechanisms that may lead to degradation problems. The range of mechanisms is reviewed with reference to different types of fibers and matrices, indicating the various means that can be taken to develop durable composites and discussing the considerations that should be given in choosing and developing successful accelerated aging tests.