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, 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 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 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.

In this paper a model is presented to simulate fracture of fibre reinforced cement based materials. The model is based on a lattice-type fracture model. Fibres are explicitly implemented as separate elements connected to the cement matrix via special interface elements. With the model multiple cracking and ductile global behaviour are simulated of the composite material. Variables in the model are the fibre dimensions and properties, the fibre volume in the composite, the bond behaviour of fibres and matrix and the cement matrix properties. These properties are obtained by testing, which will be described in the paper. The model is used as a design tool for creating fibre cement based composites with any desired mechanical behaviour.

Fibre reinforced polymer-cement compositions for self-levelling flooring are studied. The individual and combined effects of dispersible polymer powder with properties of binder and superplasticiser, of various methylcelluloses, and of polypropylene fibre on effective viscosity of the mix and mechanical properties of the hardened mortar are evaluated and analysed. Used for analysis are multifactor experimental-statistical models built on the data obtained for 18 mixes (of the same workability) in the designed experiment and describing the fields of rheological model parameters, of strength, and other criteria in composition coordinates. The models have made it possible to simulate material behaviour in computational experiments, to reveal and evaluate the correlations of the properties for different technological conditions, to find individual and compromise optima.

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.