Assessment of fiber distribution in steel fiber mortar using image analysis

Abstract

A new test method was introduced to measure fiber distribution in steel fiber reinforced mortar by using image analysis technique. Through specimen preparation, image acquisition, fiber extraction, and measurement of related fiber parameters, quantitative analysis of fiber distribution could be obtained by two parameters, namely dispersion coefficient and orientation factor. Effect of boundaries, size and steel fiber content on fiber distribution was discussed. Results showed that, steel fiber distribution was affected by boundary effect, which would be weakened with the increase of specimen size. If the length and width remained constant, the specimen height had a significant effect on orientation factor of fiber, while its influence on dispersion coefficient was not so obvious. With the increase of steel fiber content, dispersion coefficient decreased slightly, and orientation factor deviated from 0.5.

Keywords

image analysis / steel fiber / dispersion coefficient / orientation factor / characterization

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