Abstract
This paper discusses the performance of the short pitch-based carbon fiber reinforced mortar (CFRM) composite considering its key properties and cost-effectiveness. Five different types of mortar composite were produced using 0–4% volume contents of short pitch-based carbon fibers. The mortar composites were tested for inverted slump cone flow (flow time and volume flow), unit weight, air content, compressive strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, and water absorption. The cost-effectiveness of CFRM was assessed based on the performance to cost ratio (PCR), which was calculated for each mortar composite, considering its workability, mechanical properties, and durability. The inverted slump cone volume flow was counted as a measure of workability, whereas the compressive strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance were considered as the major attributes of the mechanical behavior. In addition, the water absorption was used as a measure of durability. The test results revealed that the mortar composite made with 3% carbon fibers provided adequate workability, a relatively high unit weight and low air content, the highest compressive strength, excellent flexural strength, good impact resistance, and the lowest water absorption. It was also found that the PCR increased up to 3% carbon fibers. Beyond a 3% fiber content, the PCR significantly decreased. The overall research findings revealed that the mortar with 3% carbon fibers was the optimum and most cost-effective mortar composite.
Highlights
This study examines the performance of the carbon fiber reinforced mortar (CFRM)
While calculating the mix proportions of the different mortar mixes based on the absolute volume method, a 1% air content was considered for ordinary Portland cement mortar (OPCM), whereas a 4% air content was assumed for CFRM1
The air content of each mortar composite was determined from the same test used for measuring its unit weight
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Carbon fibers were first used at a large scale in the form of lightweight cladding tile panels for the Al-Shaheed Monument in Iraq in 1982 [21] After this successful application, CFRC was used structurally in the exterior curtain wall of the 37-storey Ark-Mori Building in. Fiber reinforced cement composites exhibited a brittle post-peak failure pattern at a lower fiber volume content in the presence of silica fume [18]. This is because the presence of silica fume decreases the fracture toughness and makes the material more brittle [35,36]. A cost-performance analysis of different CFRM composites was carried out to determine the most cost-effective mortar composite
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