Pond Ash (PA)–Jute Fiber‐Based Geopolymer Cementitious Materials

Abstract

Due to its cost-effectiveness and ecological performance, geopolymer (GP) reinforced with natural fibers has the potential to overcome the inherent deficiencies in cementitious materials. Use of natural fibers, especially jute fiber, in a relatively brittle cementitious matrix has achieved considerable strength and toughness in the composite. Durability of such fibers in a highly alkaline matrix must be taken into consideration through effective modifications. Jute fiber (0.5%) has been used as reinforcement in cementitious composite, i.e., GP/jute fiber composite, GP/jute fiber mortar and GP/jute fiber concrete. The analysis presented in this chapter shows the strengthening performance of GP/jute fiber-based materials, with the maximum strength of GP with jute fiber, GP mortar with jute fiber, and GP concrete with jute fiber being 16.45 MPa, 22 MPa, and 28.96 MPa, respectively, at optimum treatment combinations. Prepared products are also characterized by SEM, FTIR, and TGA, with the TGA patterns revealing the striking features observed for three materials (GP with jute fiber, GP mortar with jute fiber, and GP concrete with jute fiber). Finally, the performance of the materials (GP mortar with jute fiber and GP concrete with jute fiber) is evaluated at different test temperatures (70 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C).