Direct tensile responses of aramid fiber reinforced cementitious composites and textile reinforced cementitious composites with 3D spacer fabric at high strain rates

The direct tensile responses of macro aramid fibers reinforced cementitious composites (AR-FRCCs) as well as textile reinforced cementitious composites with 3D spacer fabric (3D-TRCCs) were investigated at high strain rates. As strain rate increased from static (0.000333 s−1) to high strain rates (up to 194 s−1), the tensile strength of AR-FRCCs considerably increased from 3.49 to 15.82 MPa. However, their rate sensitivities were different corresponding to fiber contents and matrix strength. The AR-FRCCs with higher fiber content clearly produced lower rate sensitivity while the AR-FRCCs with high strength (63.6 or 99.6 MPa) matrices generally produced higher rate sensitivities on their tensile resistance than those with a lower strength (43.7 MPa) matrix. Even though the 3D-TRCCs produced higher energy absorption capacity than the AR-FRCCs, the energy absorption capacity of 3D-TRCCs clearly decreased at strain rates greater than 100 s−1.