Abstract
This experimental study aimed to develop a fiber-reinforced lightweight mineral wool-based alkali activated mortar. The lightweight mineral wool-based alkali activated mortars were produced using premade foam and reinforced by polypropylene (PP) fibers. They were assessed in terms of fresh and hardened-state properties. Fresh-state properties were investigated by mini-slump tests. Hardened-state characteristics were assessed by ultrasonic pulse velocity, dry density, compressive and flexural strengths, drying shrinkage, efflorescence, water absorption, and permeable porosity. For the first time, the resistance of the synthesized lightweight mineral wool-based alkali activated mortars against harsh conditions (carbonation, freeze and thaw, and high temperature) were evaluated. The porous structures of the developed lightweight alkali activated mortars were also analyzed using an X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT) technique. Lightweight mix compositions with densities in a range of 770–1510 kg/m3, compressive strengths of 1–9 MPa, and flexural strengths of 2.6–8 MPa were developed. Increases in both density and strength after carbonation were also recorded, while a decrease of strength was noticed after exposure to freeze/thaw and high temperatures of up to 500 °C.
Highlights
Increasing environmental awareness has resulted in pressure on the concrete industry to decrease its CO2 emissions and resource consumption
Thereafter, the developed fiber-reinforced lightweight mineral wool-based alkali activated mortar was assessed in terms of its density, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), mechanical properties, drying shrinkage, efflorescence, water absorption, and permeable porosity
Fiber-reinforced lightweight alkali activated mortar was comprised of stone wool (SW), glass wool (GW), metakaolin (MK), sand, alkali activator, PP fibers, and premade foam
Summary
3.2.5), increasing foam content (lower density) resulted in higher open and permeable was shown in 3.2.5), the increasing the foam content resulted in higher open and porosity, and more absorbed. Higher UPV and density losses (≈6–8%) were density losses detected in the lightweight mortar were increased by the foam content. The and lossescycles detected in the lightweight mortar were increased by water, the foam specimens with higher water content (due to higher foam content) showed a higher rate of evaporation. The density loss due to the freeze/thaw cycles is mainly related to the evaporation of the pore water, thespecimens maximumwith. 25% of foam content had 6% of UPV and density loss after 60 freeze/thaw cycles
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