ABSTRACT
Abstract Fracture surfaces of microfiber-reinforced mortar specimens were characterized using a confocal microscope to create 3-D computer-based topographic maps. The texture of the fracture surfaces was quantified by using image analysis techniques to compute a roughness parameter and fractal dimension. Effects of volume fraction of silica fume as well as volume fraction, length, and type of fibers were examined. Roughness measurements were correlated with fracture properties ascertained from notched-beam tests and uniaxial tensile tests. A Rule of Mixtures analysis was used to discriminate the matrix and fiber contributions to the composite behavior.
