Abstract
This study reports the development of a fiber-reinforced alkali-activated binder (FRAAB) with an emphasis on the performance and the durability of the fibers in the alkaline alkali-activated binder (AAB)-matrix. For the development of the matrix, the reactive components granulated slag and coal fly ash were used, which were alkali-activated with a mixture of sodium hydroxide (2–10 mol/L) and an aqueous sodium silicate solution (SiO2/Na2O molar ratio: 2.1) at ambient temperature. For the reinforcement of the matrix integral fibers of alkali-resistant glass (AR-glass), E-glass, basalt, and carbon with a fiber volume content of 0.5% were used. By the integration of these short fibers, the three-point bending tensile strength of the AAB increased strikingly from 4.6 MPa (no fibers) up to 5.7 MPa (carbon) after one day. As a result of the investigations of the alkali resistance, the AR-glass and the carbon fibers showed the highest durability of all fibers in the FRAAB-matrix. In contrast to that, the weight loss of E-glass and basalt fibers was significant under the alkaline condition. According to these results, only the AR-glass and the carbon fibers reveal sufficient durability in the alkaline AAB-matrix.
Highlights
The interest in the development of alternative building materials has been encouraged by the growth of the building industry and the increased performance requirements together with the higher sustainability criteria applied in civil engineering
The development of an activated binder (AAB)-matrix and the performance and durability of different fibers in the AAB-matrix were investigated through various experimental works
By the integration of short fibers, the three-point bending tensile strength of the AAB increased from 4.6 MPa up to 5.7 MPa after one day
Summary
The interest in the development of alternative building materials has been encouraged by the growth of the building industry and the increased performance requirements together with the higher sustainability criteria applied in civil engineering. Alkali-activated binders (AABs) represent an attractive alternative for the partial or complete substitution of Portland cement in the production of concrete and mortar. The potential benefits of the replacement of Portland cement by AABs are the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The production of 1 ton of Portland cement releases approximately 1 ton of carbon dioxide and requires about 100 kWh [1,2]. AABs point up a high mechanical strength, a high temperature and fire resistance, an acid resistance, and a low shrinkage [7,8,9]. OHNO and LI studied the tensile and the compressive strength of randomly oriented short Poly-Vinyl-Alcohol (PVA) fiberreinforced AABs [18]. The three-point bending tensile strength of the AABs in unreinforced and fiber-reinforced forms is studied
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