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This study proposed a novel strategy to fabricate highly permeable and robust supported membranes for membrane distillation, via a nonsolvent thermally induced phase separation method. Different from traditional supported membranes cast on non-woven fabrics, a well-integrated fabric-embedded PVDF (FE-PVDF) membrane was successfully obtained using polyamide 66 gauze supports. The optimal FE-PVDF membrane PA-120 exhibited an interesting structure with pseudo Janus function, which entailed hydrophobic bulk membrane property but a pseudo hydrophilic bottom surface due to the presence of water-filled "50 μm grade" pores. The PA-120 exhibited a DCMD flux of 68.5 kg.m−2.h−1 at 70 °C with synthetic saline solution and exceptional tensile strength of 21 MPa (lateral)/21 MPa (longitudinal), which was 1.4-fold and 23-fold higher than that of the unsupported benchmark, respectively. The concentration of 10 wt% monosodium glutamate solution with PA-120 was demonstrated at 70 °C up to 55 wt% when crystallization was observed, The flux showed a minor decrease by 16.3% until 40 wt% and a subsequent decline towards 55 wt%. Repeated concentration cycles were conducted with intermediate membrane rinsing by fresh feed, demonstrating highly recoverable performance. This preliminary study brings new perspectives towards pushing the limits of current lab-made MD membranes. [Display omitted] • Ultra-robust fabric-embedded PVDF membranes were obtained by a facile NTIPS method. • FE-PVDF membrane offered tensile strength 21 MPa and DCMD flux 68.5 kg.m−2.h−1 (70 °C). • Membrane structure with a pseudo Janus function led to greatly enhanced mass transfer. • Successful concentration of MSG solution was conducted towards crystallization. • Reversible MD performance demonstrated in repeated cycles with no additional cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The optimum fiber size of the PWF reinforced shotcrete is obtained. • The advantages of PWF compared with PPF in shotcrete performance are determined. • Four types of fiber fractures in shotcrete are proposed. • The relationship between the mechanical properties of FRS and the fracture morphology of fiber is revealed. As the primary material for roadway support in underground engineering, shotcrete is of great significance to the underground construction industry. Shotcrete alone is brittle and its internal structure is prone to damage. Thus, reinforcing materials are often added to reduce the brittleness of shotcrete. Most of the studies focused on adding fiber materials to concrete the structural fractures in shotcrete. However, shotcrete internal structure fractures still happen in extreme environments. Therefore, the relationship between the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced shotcrete (FRS) and fiber fracture morphology is studied in this paper. Firstly, two types of fibers are selected, i.e., polypropylene fiber (PPF) and plastic waste fiber (PWF). Then, the mechanical properties of the FRS are tested, and the optimal fiber size of PWF reinforced shotcrete is obtained. Through optimization analysis, the mechanical property superiority of PWF reinforced shotcrete with the optimal fiber size is determined. Next, the fiber fracture in shotcrete is observed by visual and microscopic inspection, and four types of fiber fractures in shotcrete are proposed. Finally, the fiber fracture in various types of shotcrete is statistically analyzed. After correlation equation fitting, it is found that the straight-line, polynomial and exponential fitting results of mechanical properties and fiber fracture number of FRS are the most ideal. The relationship between the mechanical properties of FRS and the fiber fracture morphology is revealed. This study provides a theoretical basis for reducing the fractures of FRS structures in complex construction environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]