1. Multiscale investigation of tensile properties of a TiO2-doped Engineered Cementitious Composite.
- Author
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Xu, Mingfeng, Bao, Yi, Wu, Kai, Shi, Huisheng, Guo, Xiaolu, and Li, Victor C.
- Subjects
- *
CONSTRUCTION materials , *MECHANICAL properties of condensed matter , *TITANIUM dioxide - Abstract
Highlights • 5% TiO 2 in ECC saturates air-purification ability while preserving tensile properties. • The optimized TiO 2 -doped ECC sustains a tensile strain capacity of 4.0%. • Alterations in tensile properties of ECC by TiO 2 are understood by micromechanics. • Both site effect and dilution effect are operative in ECC when TiO 2 is added. Abstract Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) provides a unique platform to develop high-performance and multifunctional construction materials with strain-hardening properties and exceptional crack control capability. ECC incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanoparticles has intrinsically embodied photocatalytic properties, such as air-purifying functionality. However, there remains a lack of fundamental knowledge on how the presence of TiO 2 nanoparticles affects fiber/matrix interface and macro tensile properties of ECC. There is a need to establish a holistic understanding of the role of TiO 2 nanoparticles in ECC at multiple scales. To this end, this study experimentally investigates the effect of TiO 2 content (up to 15% of binder) on the fiber/matrix interface and on the tensile properties of ECC. A micromechanical model is used to link the multiscale material properties and interpret the test data of the TiO 2 -doped ECC. Results show that changes in the macroscopic tensile properties as a result of TiO 2 addition can be traced back to the matrix and fiber/matrix interface properties. The research findings provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of tensile property modifications by TiO 2 nanoparticles, as well as establishing a reference for the design of photocatalytic ECC for balanced functional and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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