Dynamic splitting tensile behaviour of engineered geopolymer composites with hybrid polyvinyl alcohol and recycled tyre polymer fibres

Abstract

Partial replacement of the widely used polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibre in engineered geopolymer composites (EGC) with recycled fibres can reduce the material cost and improve sustainability. This study investigates the effect of hybrid PVA and recycled tyre polymer (RTP) fibre content on the quasi-static and dynamic splitting tensile behaviour and microstructure of ambient-cured fly ash-slag based EGC through split Hopkinson pressure bar, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray computed tomography tests. Results indicate that the presence of PVA or RTP fibres can considerably improve the quasi-static and dynamic splitting tensile behaviour of geopolymers. All investigated mixtures are characterised by remarkable strain rate sensitivity within the considered test range, which can be well described using the proposed relationship between dynamic increase factor and strain rate for predictions of dynamic properties. Replacing PVA fibre with 0.25–0.5% RTP fibre can lead to better dynamic splitting tensile properties of EGC compared to that with 2.0% PVA fibre, which can be mainly ascribed to the improved synergistic effect of hybrid fibres in controlling the cracks. The microscopic images reveal that the failure mode of RTP fibres is not sensitive to the strain rate due to its hydrophobic surface feature, which could benefit the energy absorption capacity of EGC under dynamic loading. EGC containing hybrid PVA and RTP fibres holds promise as a cost-effective and sustainable material for applications against dynamic loadings.