Abstract:
In order to investigate the strain rate and temperature effect on the flexural mechanical properties of alkali-resistant glass fabric reinforced cement matrix (FRCM) composite, the FRCM composite specimens were tested under quasi-static (3.33×10
-5 s
-1) loading in 3-point bending set-up using a MTS load frame at room temperature (25℃), and under dynamic loading in the same 3-point bending set-up at different strain rates (4, 8, 12, 16 and 18 s
-1) and distinct temperatures (-50, 0, 25, 50 and 100℃) utilizing an INSTRON drop-tower impact system. The same fixture was used in quasi-static and dynamic flexural tests. The effect of the number of reinforcing fabric layers on their flexural mechanical properties was also taken into consideration. The experimental results show that, at room temperature, flexural strength increases with increasing strain rate, but flexural ultimate strain and toughness firstly decrease and then increase with increasing strain rate, and flexural modulus firstly increases and then decreases with increasing strain rate. At the same flexural strain rate of 12 s
-1, flexural strength, flexural modulus and toughness decrease with increasing temperature, and ultimate strain does not change significantly. When alkali-resistant glass fabric with six layers is used in the composite specimens, the reinforcing effect is more significant. The strain rate, temperature and the number of reinforcing fabric layers can significantly affect the flexural performance of specimens.