Abstract
Abstract The main aim of the article is to analyze the state of the art in short steel fiber-reinforced geopolymers, taking into consideration also waste fibers. Steel fibers are currently the most widely applied additive to composites in the building industry. The work is dedicated to the usage of short steel fibers and the mechanical properties of geopolymer composites. Research methods applied in the article are a critical analysis of the literature sources, including a comparison of the new material with other, traditional concrete materials used in similar applications, especially in the construction industry. The results of the research are discussed in a comparative context. They indicate that the addition of fibers is an efficient method not only for improving compressive and flexural strength, but also mechanical properties such as fracture toughness. The potential applications in the construction industry as well barriers and challenges for the effective application of geopolymer materials reinforced with steel fibers are presented. Further research directions are discussed.
Highlights
Nowadays, an important factor in the development of geopolymers is their environmental credentials
The results show that the composites based on the geopolymer matrix achieved higher values in terms of flexural strength than the composites based on the cement matrix; in addition, the geopolymer composites were characterized by a more ductile cracking mechanism [27,28]
The results indicated a change in the cracking mechanism from brittle to ductile and improvement of flexural strength for composites containing 1% and a higher percentage of steel fibers
Summary
An important factor in the development of geopolymers is their environmental credentials. The main advantages of geopolymers are high compressive strength, good thermal properties (fire- and heat resistance), and resistance to corrosive environments. The weakness of this type of composite is a brittle fracture, which limits its use in many areas [13,14]. The reinforcement of the geopolymer by short fibers is desirable. This should improve the flexural strength and fracture toughness of these materials [13,15]. Fibers can increase the amount of energy absorbed by the material before damage occurs [16,17]. The number of cracks in the material is reduced and the width of the cracks is limited [18]
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