A simplified framework for orientation control of synthetic fibers in engineered cementitious composites using magnetic field

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 r...

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Main Authors: Sikandar Ali Khokhar, Touqeer Ahmed, Rao Arsalan Khushnood, Muhammad Umer Basit, Shahnawaz, Syed Rizwan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-02-01
Series:Heliyon
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024020875
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author Sikandar Ali Khokhar
Touqeer Ahmed
Rao Arsalan Khushnood
Muhammad Umer Basit
Shahnawaz
Syed Rizwan
author_facet Sikandar Ali Khokhar
Touqeer Ahmed
Rao Arsalan Khushnood
Muhammad Umer Basit
Shahnawaz
Syed Rizwan
author_sort Sikandar Ali Khokhar
collection DOAJ
description 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%.
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spelling doaj.art-22ada264d53a4b41ac2eeca79361ad622024-03-09T09:27:02ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402024-02-01104e26056A simplified framework for orientation control of synthetic fibers in engineered cementitious composites using magnetic fieldSikandar Ali Khokhar0Touqeer Ahmed1Rao Arsalan Khushnood2Muhammad Umer Basit3 Shahnawaz4Syed Rizwan5NUST 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, PakistanNUST 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, PakistanNUST 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.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, PakistanNUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector H-12, Islamabad, 44000, PakistanDepartment of Physics, School of Natural Sciences (SNS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), H-12, Islamabad, 44000, PakistanFiber 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%.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024020875
spellingShingle Sikandar Ali Khokhar
Touqeer Ahmed
Rao Arsalan Khushnood
Muhammad Umer Basit
Shahnawaz
Syed Rizwan
A simplified framework for orientation control of synthetic fibers in engineered cementitious composites using magnetic field
Heliyon
title A simplified framework for orientation control of synthetic fibers in engineered cementitious composites using magnetic field
title_full A simplified framework for orientation control of synthetic fibers in engineered cementitious composites using magnetic field
title_fullStr A simplified framework for orientation control of synthetic fibers in engineered cementitious composites using magnetic field
title_full_unstemmed A simplified framework for orientation control of synthetic fibers in engineered cementitious composites using magnetic field
title_short A simplified framework for orientation control of synthetic fibers in engineered cementitious composites using magnetic field
title_sort simplified framework for orientation control of synthetic fibers in engineered cementitious composites using magnetic field
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024020875
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