Effect of different PVA and steel fiber length and content on mechanical properties of CaCO₃ whisker reinforced cementitious composites

In this paper, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) whisker as a fiber reinforcement is mixed with steel and PVA fiber to form a multiscale hybrid fiber reinforced cementitious composites (MHFRCC). ASTM standard and post-crack strength techniques are performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of MHFRCC. The 1.25 % long steel fiber, 0.55 % short PVA fiber and 2.0 % CaCO3 whisker specimens showed the best flexural behavior before L/600 deflection. However, 1.5 % long steel fiber, 0.4 % long PVA fiber and 1.0 % CaCO3 whisker specimens presented better crack resistance after L/600 deflection. It is revealed that flexural parameters increase as comprehensive reinforcing index increase. The result showed that the CaCO3 whisker and short PVA fiber provided crack resistance effect at micro-scale and mainly play a dominate role in inhibiting micro-cracking. However, long steel fiber and long PVA fiber showed a better bridging effect of macro cracks at a large deflection.