Combined influence of nano‐CaCO3 and polyvinyl alcohol fibers on fresh and mechanical performance of concrete incorporating fly ash

Abstract

AbstractIn this investigation, the combined influence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers and nano‐CaCO3 particles on fresh and mechanical performance of concrete containing fly ash was assessed. In the concrete, Portland cement was replaced with 1, 2, 3, and 4% (by weight) of nano‐CaCO3. PVA fibers were added to the concrete at a dosage of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.2% (by volume). The flowability of the fresh concrete was assessed using slump and slump flow measurements. The mechanical properties of the concrete evaluated included compressive and flexural strength as well as elastic modulus under both compression and flexure conditions. Our results showed that the workability of the concrete decreased with increases in nano‐CaCO3 and PVA fiber content. When the dosage of nano‐CaCO3 was no more than 3%, the flexural and compressive elastic modulus, flexural, and compressive strength of the concrete increased with nano‐CaCO3 content. However, these mechanical property values decreased when the dosage of nano‐CaCO3 increased from 3 to 4%. When the fiber content was less than 0.15%, the compressive and flexural strength and elastic modulus of the concrete increased with fiber content. However, these values began to decrease as the PVA fiber dosage increased from 0.15 to 0.2%.