Optical fibers in cementitious composites (LTCM): Analysis and discussion of their influence when randomly arranged

摘要

Published studies related to LTCMs (light-transmitting cement-based materials) deserve attention. Although it is a widely used commercial material, in the technical-scientific field, there is still a demand for a deeper understanding of its performance characteristics. The data presented here refer to samples with three different fiber contents (2%, 3.5%, and 5%) that were arranged randomly and compared to the reference samples that were free of polymeric optical fiber (0% POF). This work complements a related article that was previously published by the authors [1] that addresses the influence of fibers that are arranged in an orderly manner. The performance characteristics of the compressive strength, the flexural tensile strength, the water absorption via capillarity, the light transmittance, and the cost-benefit ratio (considering the Brazilian market) were verified. From the 0% (reference) to 5% (maximum POF content adopted) fiber contents, the following behaviors were found: decreases of approximately 20% and 30% in the compressive and flexural tensile strength, respectively, and an increase of 400% in the capillary water absorption. For light transmittance, from the 2% to the 5% POF contents, there was an increase of 150% in the fibers and an increase of approximately 300% in the light transmittance. Considering the Brazilian market and the cost per lux ($ / lux) of the samples with added optical fibers (2%, 3.5% and 5% POF), the following values were obtained: $ 1.61/ lux (2% POF), $ 4.19/lux (3.5% POF), and $ 1.26/lux (5% POF). Based on the cost/light transmittance ratio, the 5% POF content was the best. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.