Different testing methods for assessing the synthetic fiber distribution in cement-based composites

Fiber distribution is an important factor which affects the fresh and hardened properties of composites. A variety of methods are available for studying the fiber distribution but image analysis is more widely used for fiber reinforced cement-based composites (FRCs). In this paper, different fiber distribution methods are discussed in detail including optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and X-ray computed tomography. It is found that fluorescence microscopy is more widely used for studying fiber dispersion in FRCs and can be applicable to the synthetic fibers.