<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <article key="pdf/10878" mdate="2013-06-21 00:00:00"> <author>S. Boughanem and D. A. Jesson and M. J. Mulheron and P.A. Smith C. Eddie and S. Psomas and M. Rimes</author> <title>Engineered Cement Composite Materials Characterization for Tunneling Applications</title> <pages>464 - 468</pages> <year>2013</year> <volume>7</volume> <number>6</number> <journal>International Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering</journal> <ee>https://publications.waset.org/10878.pdf</ee> <url>https://publications.waset.org/vol/78</url> <publisher>World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology</publisher> <abstract>Cements, which are intrinsically brittle materials, can exhibit a degree of pseudoductility when reinforced with a sufficient volume fraction of a fibrous phase. This class of materials, called Engineered Cement Composites (ECC) has the potential to be used in future tunneling applications where a level of pseudoductility is required to avoid brittle failures. However uncertainties remain regarding mechanical performance. Previous work has focused on comparatively thin specimens; however for future civil engineering applications, it is imperative that the behavior in tension of thicker specimens is understood. In the present work, specimens containing cement powder and admixtures have been manufactured following two different processes and tested in tension. Multiple matrix cracking has been observed during tensile testing, leading to a &amp;ldquo;strainhardening&amp;quot; behavior, confirming the possible suitability of ECC material when used as thick sections (greater than 50mm) in tunneling applications.</abstract> <index>Open Science Index 78, 2013</index> </article>