Correlation through directional statistics of the consequences of magnetic alignment of steel fibers immersed in metaphor fluids of cementitious matrices

Abstract

Conceptually, the alignment of fibers in cementitious matrices leads to an appropriate choice of orientation indices, orientation coefficient, orientation tensors, etc. methods that do not have the advantages offered by descriptive or inferential statistics. The work presented here uses directional statistics as an efficient measure of the alignment of a set of fibers that initially have random orientations. The randomly oriented fibers are immersed in a fluid metaphor (hydrogel) transparent that reproduces some rheological characteristics of cementitious matrices. Magnetic alignment carried out by discharging an Resistor–Capacitor-Inductor-Circuit (RCL circuit) that causes pulses of homogeneous magnetic fields of intensity ranging approximately from 20 mT to 90 mT (peak) changing the final orientation distribution of the set of fibers. These changes in the orientation distribution give rise to their directional statistical analysis, revealing the relationships between the magnetic properties of the fibers and the rheological parameters of the matrix in which they are immersed. Among the studies presented here is the possibility of planning various fiber alignment strategies using a circular diagram as an abacus (Circles of Active/Dead Fibers) that allow us to go beyond the application of a simple pulse and/or a single alignment direction, seeking a process fiber alignment that is optimal and controlled.