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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 January 2016
This study presents a combine experimental and analytical investigation of thetoughening behavior in natural fiber-reinforced earth-based composites. Aspecially designed single fiber pullout apparatus was used to provide aquantitative determination of interfacial properties that are relevant totoughening brittle materials through fiber reinforcement. The parametersinvestigated included a specially designed high strength earth-based matrixcomprising of 60% laterite, 20% clay and 20% cement. The toughening behavior ofwhisker-reinforced earth-based matrix is analyzed in terms of a whisker bridgingzone immediately behind the crack tip and interface strength. This approach isconsistent with microscopy observations which reveal that intact bridgingwhiskers exist behind the crack tip as a result of debonding of thewhisker-matrix interface. Debonding with constant frictional stress was obtainedand this formed the basis for the analytical model considered and the underlyingcrack-microstructure interactions associated with Resistance-curve behavior wasstudied using in situ/ex situ optical microscopy to account for the bridgingcontribution to fracture toughness. The effect of multiple toughening mechanisms(debonding and crack bridging) was elucidated and the implications of theresults are considered for potential applications in the design of robustearth-based building materials for sustainable eco-friendly homes.