Fracture properties of nanofiber reinforced cementitious material: A review

Abstract

There has been significant attention from both academics and industries towards the demand for high-strength and crack-free cementitious composites. Nanofibers are a group of promising reinforcement materials due to their high strength, large specific surface area, and high toughness. This paper provides a review of the fracture properties of nanofiber reinforced cement-based composite (NFRC), including the investigation of various types of nanofibers available in the market, test methods, and theoretical analysis models. The effects of different volumes and types of nanofibers are also summarised. Based on the analysis of previous studies, the enhancements in fracture properties are closely associated with the length and aspect ratio of nanofibers. Moreover, several challenges persist in the practical application of NFRC in industries are discussed. Further research efforts are required to address these concerns and advance the industrial application of NFRC.

Keywords

• Nanofiber
• Cementitious material
• Fracture properties