A simplified framework for orientation control of synthetic fibers in engineered cementitious composites using magnetic field
Sikandar Ali Khokhar,
Touqeer Ahmed,
Rao Arsalan Khushnood,
Muhammad Umer Basit,
Shahnawaz,
Syed Rizwan
Affiliations
Sikandar Ali Khokhar
NUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan; Bendcrete Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd., National Science and Technology Park (NSTP), Sector H12, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
Touqeer Ahmed
NUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan; Bendcrete Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd., National Science and Technology Park (NSTP), Sector H12, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
Rao Arsalan Khushnood
NUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan; Department of Structural, Geotechnical and Building Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Turin, 10129, Italy; Corresponding author. NUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan.
Muhammad Umer Basit
NUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
Shahnawaz
NUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
Syed Rizwan
Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences (SNS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), H-12, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) is attracting many researchers' attention due to its excellent mechanical and fracture properties. However, its widespread implementation is hampered by the issues related to the dispersion and orientation of its fibers. According to the fracture mechanics, the reinforcement would provide maximum bridging when placed perpendicular to the crack propagation. This study is focused on the magnetic-based orientation of synthetic fibers which are mostly used in strain hardening FRC also termed as Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC). Initially, the PVA fibers were coated with waste iron particles using a hydrothermal synthesis procedure. This was done to make synthetic fibers magnetically responsive by the formation of a physical bond between iron and PVA fibers. A solenoid was used to provide a high-intensity magnetic flux to orient these fibers in the direction of magnetic lines. Three different ECC mixes were prepared and cast in wooden molds. The molds were then placed one by one into the magnetic field for the orientation of the fibers. The fibers were successfully aligned perpendicular to the flexure cracks in only flexure dominant regions with the aid of a magnetic field. The orientation of fibers was verified with the help of microscopic images of the tortured surfaces. As a result of well aligned fibers dispersed in the ECC mix, the flexural strength was increased by 21%.
