A multi-scale investigation of the mechanical behavior of durable sisal fiber cement composites

Durable sisal fiber cement composites reinforced with long unidirectional aligned fibers were developed and their mechanical behavior was characterized in a multi-scale level. Tensile tests were performed in individual sisal fibers. Wei bull statistics were used to quantify the degree of variability in fiber strength at different gage lengths. The fiber-matrix pull-out behavior was evaluated at several curing ages and embedded lengths. The composite's mechanical response was measured under direct tension while crack formation was investigated using a high resolution image capturing procedure. Crack spacing was measured using image analysis and correlated with the applied strain under both the tensile and bending response.