Abstract
Geopolymer concrete (GPC) with Glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars can provide a better construction system with high sustainability, high durability, and adequate strength. Few studies deal with the combination of these materials. The present investigation obtains the flexural capacity and behaviour of GPC and ordinary Portland concrete beams reinforced with GFRP bars (GFRP-RGPC and GFRP-ROPC, respectively). Twelve beams consisting of nine GFRP-RGPC and three GFRP-ROPC beams were cast and tested by using the four-point bending test over an active span of 2000 mm. Rebar ratio, compressive strength, and concrete types were taken as the variables. Initial cracking load, ultimate load capacity, load–deflection behaviour, Load–strain curves, crack width, the number of cracks and failure modes, were studied. Experimental results of beams were compared with the proposed equations provided by ACI 440.1R-15, CSA S806-12, and parabolic stress block method. The Results showed the decrease of deflection and increase of first cracking load by increasing the compressive strength. A slight increase in the deflection of GFRP-RGPC beams and approximately the same value of ultimate load were observed. GFRP-RGPC beams also recorded a higher value of crack width compared with GFRP-ROPC beams. The parabolic stress block method predicted the flexural capacity of the beams close to the experimental results rather than ACI 440.1R-15 and CSA S806-12.
Highlights
Regular ordinary Portland cement has been used as a binder for producing ordinary Portland concrete (OPC) for a long time
The experimental program consisted of nine glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP)-RGPC and three GFRP-ROPC
The results showed that the enhancement of deflection and the initial cracking load was obtained by increasing the compressive strength, wherein deflection of GFRP-RGPC was
Summary
Regular ordinary Portland cement has been used as a binder for producing ordinary Portland concrete (OPC) for a long time. Geopolymer binder produced by a synthesis of Silica and Alumina rich pozzolanic precursor-like Fly Ash, with the alkaline solution as an activator through the process of Geopolymerization, and have become known as a promising option to conventional cement (Luhar et al 2019). According to (Khale and Chaudhary 2007), the activating solution with a pH range of 13–14 is the most suitable for the formation of the GPC with better mechanical strength. Duxson et al (2007) reported that other desirable characteristics of GPC such as; rapid development of mechanical strength, fire resistance, dimensional stability, acid resistance, excellent adherence to aggregates and reinforcements, and have lower material cost, approximately 10–30% lower than that of OPC (Duxson et al 2007). For Si:Al ratio (2): Applications (Low CO2 cements and concretes and Radioactive and toxic waste encapsulation). For many applications in the civil engineering field a low Si:Al ratio is suitable (Davidovits 1994)
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