ABSTRACT
The manner in which fibres are distributed throughout an fibre-reinforced cements and concretes (FRC) component is determined largely by the manufacturing method. As with fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP), choosing the correct fibre layout or fibre architecture for a given loading case is crucial in order that the fibre can be used most efficiently. There are two key parameters: fibre length and fibre orientation. Fibre orientation can be 1-dimensional, random 2-dimensional or random 3-dimensional. Aligned layouts allow fibres to be placed parallel to the applied stress, optimising reinforcement efficiency at the expense of creating anisotropic properties. Most FRC textile is made from glass fibres, although carbon, aramid and hybrid textiles containing mixed fibre, often including polymers, are also available. Modern textiles can be produced in multiple layers interlinked with binding or spacer warp thread to produce 3D reinforcement architectures such as tubes or sandwich structures.
