Brittle Matrix Composites

The subjects of the symposia are on composite materials behaving as brittle, normal and special conditions of exploitation. Brittle matrix composites are applied in various domains and the series of symposia are closely related to their applications in civil engineering. In the last decades their importance is increasing along with their variety and the use of most advanced methods of testing. Papers include concretes, fibre concretes and ceramics, particularly their composition, microstructure and fracture processes. Various new and advanced engineering problems are presented in the papers.

The International Symposium in Brittle Matrix Composites October 13-15, 2003 covers a wide spectrum of topics including cement based composites, ceramic composites and brittle polymer matrix composites. In the papers various topics and issues are considered such as: analytical and numerical studies related to the design of composites, prediction of behaviour and verification of strength and stability, testing methods, manufacturing processes and repair, environmental effects and durability assessment. The present volume of 55 papers proves that there are still many problems in the field of brittle matrix composites deserving theoretical and experimental investigations and that new solutions to these problems are needed for practical application in civil engineering, industrial structures, machinery and other domains.

The subjects of the symposia are on composite materials with matrices behaving as brittle in normal or special conditions. Brittle matrix composites are applied in various domains (civil engineering, mechanical equipment and machinery, vehicles, etc.) and in the last decades their importance is increasing together with their variety. Papers include: aggregate-binder composites (concretes, fibre concretes, rocks); sintered materials (ceramics); high strength composites with brittle matrices. In principle, the general problems of structures made of composite materials are not included in the papers. Various approaches to the material engineering problems are presented in the papers.

The subjects of the symposia are on composite materials behaving as brittle, normal and special conditions of exploitation. Brittle matrix composites are applied in various domains and the series of symposia are closely related to their applications in civil engineering. In the last decades their importance is increasing along with their variety and the use of most advanced methods of testing. Papers include concretes, fibre concretes and ceramics, particularly their composition, microstructure and fracture processes. Various new and advanced engineering problems are presented in the papers.

The subjects of the Symposia are on composite materials with matrices behaving as brittle in normal or special conditions. Brittle matrix composites are applied in various domains (civil engineering, mechanical equipment and machinery, vehicles, etc.) and in the last decades their importance is increasing together with their variety. papers include: aggregate-binder composites (concretes, fiber concretes, rocks); sintered materials (ceramics); high strength composites with brittle matrices. In principle, the general problems of structures made of composite materials are not included in the papers. Various approaches to the material engineering problems are presented in the papers. Among others: Design and optimization of the structure of materials; Theoretical considerations and computational methods; Models of materials and prediction of material properties; Test methods and new test results; Manufacturing processes; Applications of new materials and their behaviour in service; Durability assessments and environmental effects.

The papers contained herein were presented at the Second International Sym posium on Brittle Matrix Composites (BMC2) held at Cedzyna, Poland, 20-22 September 1988. The colloquium was organiscd and sponsored by thc Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, in associa tion with Kielce Technical University and the Civil Engineering Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The Symposium forms a logical progression from BMCI which was held in Jablonna, Poland, in November 1985. As the title implies, the Symposium addressed a variety of problems ranging from concrete to ceramics and so on; others which become embrittled under extraneous conditions were also addressed. Participants from twenty countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, People's Republic of China, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Federal Republic of Germany, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Japan, North Korea, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Soviet Union, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam) contri butcd to the success of the event. For logistical reasons, apart from five invited Plenary papers, the remaining sixty-nine contributions were, broadly speaking, subdivided into two Parallel Sessions. One branch dealt with Cement Based Composites, the other with Poly mers and Ceramics. Except for the inherent disadvantages of Parallel Sessions, this was probably the most efficient subdivision possible.

The papers contained herein were presented at Euromech 204 'Structure and Crack Propagation in Brittle Matrix Composite Materials' held at Jablonna, Poland, from 12 to 15 November 1985. The Colloquium was organised and sponsored by The Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, under the auspices of the European Mechanics Committee (Euromech). The Euromech Committee is affiliated to the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUT AM). IUT AM was organised early in the 1920s with the First Congress being held in Delft in 1924. The Euromech Colloquia were initiated some 20 years later with the intention of promoting European co-operation in the Mechanical Engineering Sciences. As the title implies, the Colloquium addressed a variety of problems associated with three main groups of materials, namely: high-strength composites, ceramics and cement-based materials, the common theme in each case being the relative brittleness of the matrix material. The problems considered ranged from fracture processes peculiar to such materials to projected design guidelines which will ensure their safe operation under a variety of conditions. Participants from thirteen countries (Czechoslovakia, France, FRG, GDR, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, UK, and USSR) contributed to the success of this event. For ease of reference, the 38 papers presented at the Colloquium have been subdivided into six distinct sections, viz. General Problems and Methods, Cracking in Ceramics, Fracture of Polymer Composites, Crack ing in Cement Based Composites, Fracture of Fibre Reinforced Cements and Fracture Mechanics of Concretes.