Tensile Strength of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites

ABSTRACTThe effect of carbon fibers on the uniaxial tensile strength of cement paste matrix is studied. The tensile strength values are obtained using the novel Cementitious Composites Axial Tensile Technique (CCATT) described previously [1]. The addition of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 volume percent of Polyacrylonitrile-based (PAN) carbon fiber results in an increase in tensile strength of 32, 41 and 48 percent respectively, as compared to the unreinforced matrix. A model based on the rule of mixtures is used to predict the tensile strength of the carbon fiber reinforced composites. Results are discussed with respect to fiber, interface bond, and cementitious matrix characteristic.