Dynamic increased reinforcing effect of graphene oxide on cementitious nanocomposite

The reinforcing effect of graphene oxide on cementitious materials under high strain rate remains largely unknown. Existing studies on microfiber reinforced cementitious composites showed that the dynamic increase factor (DIF) decreases due to these fibres. This study reports that the reinforcing effect of graphene oxide nanosheets can, in contrast, increase with strain rate. Tensile splitting and compression tests were conducted under both static and dynamic loadings. High strain rate, up to 1700s(-1), is achieved using a split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. It is found that the DIF of graphene oxide nanocomposite only increase when the DIF is higher than a threshold which is about 780 and 30s(-1) for compression and tensile test respectively. The increased of DIF was correlated with the speed of crack development and pull-out of the graphene oxide nanosheets. Also, the pull-out or fracture of graphene oxide on fragmented sand was also found a possible contributing factor to the increased DIF. The findings of this study indicate the future potential of atomic-thin nanosheets for materials under extreme impact and blast loading. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.