Flexural and tensile strength developments of various shape carbon fiber-reinforced lightweight cementitious composites

Effects of three types of carbon fiber shapes (C, round, and hollow shape) on tensile and flexural strength developments of randomly oriented carbon-fiber-reinforced lightweight cement composites (CFRLC) were investigated. C-shape CFRLC (C-CFRLC) showed higher tensile and flexural strength development than any other shape. C-CFRLC loading V-f = 3% in particular increased about 40% in tensile and flexural strength, compared to round shape CFRLC (R-CFRLC). Hollow-shape CFRLC (H-CFRLC) showed slightly higher tensile and flexural strength than R-CFRLC, C-CFRLC presented stronger fiber-matrix interfacial adhesive force, due to mechanical anchorage into the matrix, than any other fibers. Silica fume significantly influences the increase of tensile and flexural strength for the CFRLC. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.