Ultra-lightweight high ductility cement composite incorporated with low PE fiber and rubber powder

This paper presents the development and performance assessment of a novel ultra-lightweight high ductility cement composite (ULHDCC) incorporated with fly ash cenospheres, rubber powders low fiber content 0.7%. To address brittle nature such composite, this utilized surface treated polyethylene (PE) fibers to improve behavior, used replacing part cenospheres reduce matrix fracture toughness achieve pseudo-strain-hardening (PSH) performance. A micromechanics-based investigation was performed explain tensile behavior ULHDCC. The mechanical properties including compressive strength, elastic modulus microstructure has been experimentally examined. results showed that ULHDCC had strength ranging from 35.2 MPa 43.5 MPa. strain in direct test achieved 3% even 0.7% PE by volume. relatively large amount FAC (fly cenospheres) powder increased entrapped air voids reduced its density strength. improved incorporation powder. Compared normal engineering (ECC), similar capacity 50% which leads cost significantly.