Thermal stability study of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites with high ductility under high-temperature casting

Abstract

To realize the global applications of fiber-reinforced cementitious material with high ductility, it is necessary to study its thermal stability considering hot, arid environments, such as the hot desert climate and summer periods. In this study, the performance of a fiber-reinforced cementitious material with high ductility that was cast and cured at 60 °C was investigated. In addition to the mechanical properties, several microanalysis techniques were applied. The results showed that after exposure at 60 °C, the pores in the specimen coarsened. The apparent density decreased, while the mechanical properties were enhanced, especially the tensile strength. The tensile strain capacity was found to be lower than that at 20 ± 2 °C; however, it was still significantly higher than that of normal concrete and exhibited multiple cracking and strain-hardening behavior. Results obtained in this study reveal promising applications for these composites in hot, arid regions, considering their long-term mechanical properties.