ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the influences of matrices, fabric materials, fabric geometry, coating and processing on the mechanical performances of textile-reinforced cement-based composites, mainly under tension and flexural loading. The use of metakaolin (MK) together with fly ash provides good long-term behavior with virtually no changes in composite mechanical performance during aging. Composite mechanical performance and crack width can also be affected by the interaction between the sizing applied on the individual filaments during spinning with the coating applied on the entire bundle. Although the polymer filler composites obtained the most impressive composite mechanical performance, they suffered from low bonding between fabric and matrix as evidenced by large crack spacing, inconsistent crack patterns, and critical delamination. In addition, extending the duration of the applied load was found to slightly improve composite mechanical performance. Pretensioning can promote yarn alignment in the loading direction, and when applied at a high level, it can also improve bonding and composite mechanical performance.
