A fundamental investigation of textile reinforced cementitious composites tensile response by Acoustic Emission

The fracture processes on coupons of glass-fibre textile reinforced cementitious (TRC)matrix composites under tension are revealed using acoustic emission monitoring (AE)method. The fundamental study, based on acoustic signals magnitude, shape and frequency content, discloses the presence of early mortar micro-cracking and assesses the nature of multi-scale damage developed as the ultimate matrix strength is reached. At post-cracking stage, the AE signals are classified to indicate different fracture mechanisms: fibres extension, textile slippage and matrix-fibres debonding. Digital image correlation is applied as supplementary technique to verify the AE outcome. For the first time in literature, the proposed AE-based methodology fully characterizes and provides an inside view of the fracture process on TRC coupons under tension overcoming modelling assumptions that were previously in place.