Polyvinyl Alcohol Fibers Research Articles

Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers with Embedded Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: Preparation, Structural Characterization, and Biological Activity

Eco-friendly iron and manganese oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 and Mn2O3) were synthesized and integrated into graphene sheets to form uniform composites. These composites were then embedded in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers using electrospinning. Comprehensive characterization of the composites and the final composite fibers was conducted using XRD, FE-SEM, and FTIR to analyze their structural complexity and morphological differences. The antibacterial efficacy of the resulting PVA nanofibers was evaluated against Escherichia coli, which is a common pathogen in hospital environments. The results show a significant bactericidal effect against these bacteria, which highlights their potential in medical applications, such as functional bandages and wound dressings. This study paves the way for potential commercial applications of these nanofibers in healthcare settings.

Comparative Study on the Impact of Various Non-Metallic Fibres on High-Performance Concrete Properties

The performance of high-performance concrete has been enhanced in the present study by incorporating non-metallic fibres without altering the binder content. The impact of these fibres on high-performance concrete flexural and compression characteristics and the arrangement of fibres within the composite were systematically analysed. Unlike conventional practices, the authors of the research introduce various non-metallic fibres, including alkali-resistant glass fibres, carbon microfibers, three types of polypropylene microfibers, and one type of polyvinyl alcohol fibre while maintaining an equal amount of binder. The research aims to comprehensively evaluate the fibre’s influence on cement composite properties. Various types of non-metallic fibres, highlighting differences in diameters and their physical-mechanical properties with a constant amount by volume, have been considered in the research. Alkali-resistant glass and carbon fibres exhibit low values of residual post-cracking force but polyvinyl alcohol fibres demonstrate the best post-cracking behaviour, with a residual post-cracking force value. This detailed examination of fibre distribution and composition sheds light on the nuanced effects on fresh and hardened concrete properties. Notably, this work diverges from existing research by maintaining a constant binder amount and considering the quantitative distribution of fibres in a unit volume of the cement matrix, along with their aspect ratio. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting the most suitable non-metallic fibres for enhancing high-performance concrete properties.

Performance augmentation of fiber reinforced concrete through in situ mineralization of polycrystalline calcium carbonate on fiber surfaces

Enhancing the performance of fiber-reinforced concrete through the meticulous regulation of interfacial microstructure and interaction mode stands as a pivotal area of research. Notably, there are significant differences in the microstructure of several polycrystalline forms of calcium carbonate, which can profoundly influence the interaction behavior between them and the matrix. However, the tailored modulation of calcium carbonate polymorphism for the purpose of fiber surface modification remains unreported. In this paper, polycrystalline mineralization was induced by polydopamine on the surface of polyvinyl alcohol fiber by biomimetic method, and the fiber surface was modified by calcite and aragonite. The cubic calcite and acicular aragonite minerals notably roughened the fiber surface, enhancing interfacial properties between PVA fibers and cement matrix. The damaged form of the interface changed from adhesion failure to cohesive failure. Quantitative assessment of fiber-matrix interfacial interactions via single-fiber pullout tests revealed aragonite's unique morphology and exceptional mechanical attributes yielding higher frictional resistance against pullout loads. The good bonding between calcite and the cement matrix improves the strain-hardening behavior of fiber pullout and significantly enhances energy dissipation. In addition, enhanced interfacial properties bolster composites' mechanical strength. The acicular and cubic mineralized layers increased the flexural strength of the fiber cementitious materials by 35 % and 41 %, respectively. The energy absorbed in resisting the impact of a falling ball increased by 25 % and 36 %, respectively. Analysis reveals calcite promotes hydration more significantly at comparable particle sizes, bolstering interfacial bond strength with cement, and offering superior reinforcement over aragonite for fiber matrix bridging. This research provides a theoretical basis for promoting the application of polycrystalline CaCO3 and the sustainable development of high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete.

High‐performance engineered geopolymer composites: A sustainable approach using recycled brick waste

AbstractThis study examines the viability of using construction waste, specifically recycled brick waste powder (RBWP), as an alternative conventional industrial byproduct (fly ash) in the manufacturing of engineered geopolymer composites (EGC). The EGC mixtures are made with 40 μm diameter and 12 mm length polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber. RBWP replaces class‐F fly ash in EGC by 0, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. This study produces six distinct EGC mixtures in total. The flexural strength, abrasion resistance, sorptivity, and water absorption of the EGC are investigated. Microstructural characterization is carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the results, when fly ash is replaced by 40% and 100%, respectively, adding RBWP to the EGC mixes significantly improves flexural strength by 39% and midspan deflection by 169%. Nevertheless, abrasion resistance significantly improves when fly ash is completely replaced with RBWP, even though sorptivity and water absorption increase by about 128% and 240%, respectively. The volume change is reduced by 25.4% when RBWP is used. Furthermore, the SEM study shows that the RBWP undergoes active geopolymerization in the EGC mixes.

Physical and biological characteristics of electrospun poly (vinyl alcohol) and reduced graphene oxide nanofibrous structure

The fabrication of graphene-based nanocomposites has been a topic of increasing interest due to graphene’s exceptional physical properties and the ability to enhance the properties of various polymeric materials. Evaluating the biocompatibility of these nanocomposites is crucial to ensure their safe and effective use in biomedical applications. This study characterized and assessed the biocompatibility of previously fabricated electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/reduced graphene oxide rGO fibrous structures by conducting a comprehensive assessment of their physical and biological characteristics. Contact angle measurements revealed that adding rGO to electrospun PVA fibers enhanced the surface wettability, improving the fibrous structure’s PBS absorption capacity and degradation behavior. Including the rGO content resulted in a higher water vapor transmission rate, reaching ∼48 g/m2·day for PVA + 0.5 wt.% rGO and ∼45 g/m2·day for PVA + 1.0 wt.% rGO, compared to ∼40 g/m2·day for electrospun PVA fibers. Cell culture studies, including MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity analysis, alizarin red staining, fluorescence microscopy, and SEM analyses, demonstrated that electrospun PVA + 1.0 wt.% rGO nanocomposites exhibited superior cell viability, proliferation, and growth compared to other samples, due to the improved physical properties of the PVA + 1.0 wt.% rGO fibrous structure.

Synergistic fiber hybridization: unlocking superior mechanical performance in cementitious composites

This study investigates the effects of various fibers and their combinations on the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC). Sixteen distinct mix designs were prepared, each incorporating different types and proportions of fibers, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Polypropylene (PP), Basalt, and Banana fibers, while maintaining a consistent cement-to-sand ratio of 25% to 75%. The objective was to evaluate how these fibers influence the compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of the FRCC. The results revealed significant variations in mechanical properties based on fiber type and content. Mixes containing PVA and Basalt fibers demonstrated superior compressive strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength compared to those with other fibers. Notably, hybrid fiber combinations, such as PVA and Basalt or PVA and PP, showed enhanced mechanical performance, indicating the synergistic benefits of combining different fiber types. In contrast, Banana fibers alone were less effective in improving mechanical properties but contributed positively when combined with synthetic fibers. The study highlights the potential of fiber hybridization in optimizing the performance of cementitious composites. The strategic use of PVA and Basalt fibers, both individually and in combination, provides a promising approach for developing high-strength for diverse construction applications. These findings offer valuable insights for future research and the development of advanced composite materials with tailored mechanical properties.Graphical

Study on the Correlation Between Mechanical Properties, Water Absorption, and Bulk Density of PVA Fiber-Reinforced Cement Matrix Composites

Fiber-reinforced cement matrix composites (CMCs) have gained significant attention due to their ability to enhance material properties for use in demanding environments. This study investigated the workability and mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber-reinforced CMCs, focusing on compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength. It also assessed water absorption capacity through immersive water absorption tests using cubes and capillary water absorption tests using cylinders, alongside bulk density measurements for both shapes. The results indicated that the dosage of PVA fibers significantly influences the workability of CMCs, while the water-to-binder ratio has a minimal effect. Increasing the dosage of PVA fibers in CMCs from 0.5 vol.% to 1 vol.% led to a decrease in several properties: compressive strength decreased by 13.38%, split tensile strength by 21.05%, flexural strength by 9.23%, bulk density of cube samples by 4.14%, and bulk density of cylindrical sample by 6.36%. Conversely, both immersive water absorption and capillary water absorption increased, rising by 10.87% and 77.71%, respectively. Compressive strength was found to increase with the bulk density of the cubes and to decrease with rising immersive water absorption. Similarly, split tensile strength increased with the bulk density of the cylinders and decreased as capillary water absorption increased. Strong correlations were observed among three key pairwise combinations: the bulk density of cubes and immersive water absorption (R2 = 94%), compressive strength and bulk density of cubes (R2 = 96%), and compressive strength and immersive water absorption (R2 = 92%). Furthermore, the analysis and comparison of carbon fiber-reinforced and PVA fiber-reinforced CMCs will provide important references for the field, especially in cases where material availability or cost varies.

Sulfate attack resistance of hybrid fiber reinforced rubber concrete

To increase the strength and applicability of rubber concrete, an eco-friendly concrete called hybrid fiber-reinforced rubber concrete (HFRRC) was produced by utilization of recycled tire rubber particles, basalt fibers, and polyvinyl alcohol fibers. This study investigates the sulfate attack resistance of HFRRC and normal concrete (NC). The mass variation, ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive strength, failure mode, and microstructure of concrete specimens were investigated. The results showed that the corrosion resistance coefficient of HFRRC was higher than that of NC throughout the age of erosion. Further, HFRRC exhibited better integrity than NC when specimens were subjected to compression test failure. The findings can provide a useful reference for the application of hybrid-fiber reinforced rubber concrete suffered from sulfate attack.

Improving concrete structures with engineered cementitious composites and kevlar sheets: an affordable retrofitting solution for earthquake resistance

Abstract This paper outlines experimental and analytical studies focused on strengthened concrete specimens using Engineered Cementitious Composites and use of Kevlar sheets is highlighted as one of the most effective techniques for achieving the desired structural reinforcement and extending the lifespan of structures. The research examines the mechanical properties of retrofitted concrete and material characterizations of ECC such as Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy dispersive x-ray analyses were also carried out to corroborate the durability properties of ECC and Kevlar-wrapped specimens, specifically assessing compressive, tensile, and flexural strength. In this study, fiber-reinforced cementitious materials featuring a 2% volume fraction of hybrid fibers comprising hooked-end steel and polyvinyl alcohol fibers were employed to strengthen the concrete structure. This additional layer enhances tensile strength and aids in crack management, necessitating proper curing to ensure strength gain over a specified duration. Kevlar fabric sheets are carefully applied to the ECC surface using resin to create a strong bond between the Kevlar and the underlying material, resulting in a durable retrofitted structure. Preliminary experimental data supported numerical modelling of the specimens using finite element analysis. The numerical results regarding the retrofitted strength of hardened concrete were compared with experimental outcomes. The findings showed that the maximum load of the strengthened samples increased by 6.5%. Additionally, the retrofitted strength prior to complete failure rose by 10.6%. In conclusion, the integration of hybrid fibers for reinforcement and Kevlar for retrofitting proves to be a cost-effective and straightforward approach.

Structural, optical, thermal, and photocatalytic properties of electrospun calcium carbonate fibers synthesized from polyvinyl alcohol-calcium acetate precursors

This study examines the thermal, structural, optical, and morphological properties of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) fibers produced by a novel method of calcination of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers reinforced with calcium acetate monohydrate (CaAc). TGA and DSC show improved enhanced thermal stability of PVA-CaAc fibers compared to pure PVA. Structural analysis by DRX confirms the formation of calcite as the primary crystalline phase. SEM images show a significant reduction in the diameter of the calcined fibers and the development of a porous morphology. Reflection-transmission spectrophotometry shows a band gap of 3.45 eV for the CaCO3 fibers with possible contributions from carbon traces, which may further reduce the bandgap and, therefore, prove to be suitable photocatalysts for visible-light-driven applications. For this reason, the photocatalytic activity of the calcined fibers was analyzed under UV and solar irradiation for the photodegradation of methylene blue in aqueous solutions. These results highlight the improved thermal and structural properties of the CaCO3 fibers, which make them promising candidates for advanced material applications, especially in the biomedical and environmental fields.

Experimental study on mechanical and durability properties of concrete incorporating various polyvinyl alcohol fiber lengths and dosages

To inquire about the properties of concrete reinforced with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber (various fiber lengths and dosages), different experimental tests including mechanical property, cracking resistance, and chloride resistance were investigated. The overall performance of PVA fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) was innovatively analyzed integrating mechanical indicators and crack resistance parameters. Furthermore, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were selected to analyze the causes and mechanisms underlying the alterations in the performance of PVA-FRC. The experimental results demonstrate that the flexural strength, the crack resistance characteristic and chloride ion penetration resistance of PVA-FRC are significantly improved compared to ordinary concrete. Increasing fiber length plays a key role in flexural strength, compared with fiber dosage. Considering both mechanical properties and durability, PVA-FRC containing 0.25% volume fraction of 12 mm PVA fibers (F12-0.25) demonstrated optimal performance.

Cyclic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Columns Strengthened with Basalt-Fibre-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (BFRCM)

The purpose of this experimental investigation was to confirm whether the Basalt-Fibre-Reinforced Cement Matrix (BFRCM) effectively enhances the cyclic performance of columns made of reinforced concrete (RC). The BFRCM system, which comprises basalt fabric mesh reinforced with a cementitious matrix containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibre, has significant practical implications. In the testing phase, concrete and steel reinforcement were used to create RC column specimens, which were then strengthened with three, four, and five layers of BFRCM. The horizontal cyclic and constant axial loads were applied and tested to evaluate the performance of RC columns with and without strengthening. By improving the energy dissipation by approximately 9 to 32% and increasing stiffness by roughly 24 to 44%, the column specimen with three, four, and five layers of BFRCM performed better than the control specimen. Furthermore, incorporating short fibre into the matrix effectively improved the tensile properties of the FRCM systems and decreased the shrinkage-induced cracks. The increased stiffness indicates that the column with BFRCM has better structural strength because it can sustain higher loads with less deflection. The thorough comparative analyses examined the RC column specimens’ failure modes, hysteretic responses, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation, providing a reliable basis for the conclusions. The test results confirmed that the BFRCM effectively enhanced the seismic capabilities and has been promised a way to strengthen RC elements, providing valuable insights for civil engineering and materials science.

Review of Recent Developments in Tensile Properties of Engineered Geopolymer Composites

Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) is a type of highly ductile cementitious material. However, due to its characteristics of high energy consumption and high carbon emissions, it is necessary to seek a new type of low-carbon and environmentally friendly substitute. Engineered Geopolymer Composite (EGC), as a promising construction material for replacing ECC, has broad application prospects. Through visual analysis of the relevant literature in Web of Science, it was discovered that the research on EGC mainly concentrates on aspects such as the types of precursors, the chemical composition of the alkali-activated solution, and the related parameters of fibers. This paper mainly combines the relevant experimental research data on the tensile properties of EGC conducted by scholars at home and abroad, and focuses on analyzing the influence of precursor types, the chemical composition of the alkaline activator, and fibers on the tensile properties of EGC. The statistical results indicate that fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) are the most commonly used precursor materials. Replacing an appropriate amount of fly ash in the precursor with GGBFS can significantly enhance the tensile strength of EGC. The type of alkaline activator and its molarity have a relatively obvious influence on the tensile properties of EGC. An increase in the molarity of NaOH within a certain range can enhance the tensile strength of EGC. Furthermore, the incorporation of fibers, especially synthetic fibers such as polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers, as well as inorganic fibers such as glass fibers (GF) and carbon fibers (CF), can effectively enhance the tensile strength and tensile strain capacity of EGC. The use of hybrid fibers may further improve the tensile properties.

Fabrication of Anthocyanidin-Encapsulated Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibrous Membrane for Smart Packaging.

Smart colorimetric packaging has been an important method to protect human health from external hazardous agents. However, the currently available colorimetric detectors use synthetic dye probes, which are costly, toxic, difficult to prepare, and non-biodegradable. Herein, an environmentally friendly cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-supported polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous membrane was developed for the colorimetric monitoring of food spoilage. Anthocyanidin (ACY) is a naturally occurring spectroscopic probe that was isolated from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). By encapsulating the anthocyanin probe in electrospun polyvinyl alcohol fibers in the presence of a mordant (M), M/ACY nanoparticles were generated. After exposure to rotten shrimp, an investigation on the colorimetric changes from purple to green for the smart nanofibrous fabric was conducted using the coloration parameters and absorbance spectra. In response to increasing the length of exposure to rotten shrimp, the absorption spectra of the anthocyanin-encapsulated nanofibrous membrane showed a wavelength blueshift from 580 nm to 412 nm. CNC displayed a diameter of 12-17 nm. The nanoparticle diameter of M/ACY was monitored in the range of 8-13 nm, and the nanofiber diameter was shown in the range of 70-135 nm. Slight changes in comfort properties were monitored after encapsulating M/ACY in the nanofibrous fabric.

Mechanism and Performance Evaluation of a Strain Sensor Made from a Composite Hydrogel Containing Conductive Fibers of Thermoplastic Polyurethane and Polyvinyl Alcohol.

Monitoring human physiological conditions using flexible, stretchable strain sensors is an effective approach to prevent and treat critical illnesses, emergencies, and infectious diseases. However, achieving ultralow detection limits, high sensitivity, and a wide detection range in a cost-effective manner is challenging. In this study, a strain sensor was developed by embedding an adhesive hydrogel composed of polyvinyl alcohol, starch, and glutaraldehyde into conductive fibers made from thermoplastic polyurethane. By leveraging the high sensitivity of the conductive fibers and the wide detection range of the hydrogel, a robust dual-layer continuous conductive network was formed through their synergistic interaction. Tensile strength tests and other assessments indicated that the sensitivity of the sensor increased from a gauge factor of 49.32 (for fiber-based sensors) to 74.18, while the detection range expanded from 250 to 400%. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated a low detection limit (0.6%), fast response and recovery times (80 ms/120 ms), and durability exceeding 800 cycles. Tests on pulse monitoring, joint movement, and voice recognition confirmed the significant applicability of the sensor for real-time monitoring of various physiological activities throughout a human's life. This study aims to provide technical support for the development of flexible wearable systems.

Mechanism of interface performance enhancement of nano-SiO2 modified polyvinyl alcohol fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete: Experiments, microscopic characterization, and molecular simulation

This study proposes a method utilizing nano-SiO2 modified polyvinyl alcohol fibers to enhance the interface properties of geopolymer concrete. The surface properties of modified polyvinyl alcohol fibers were analyzed through microscopic characterization. The influence of different dosages of modified polyvinyl alcohol fibers on the mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete was investigated. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the interfacial toughening mechanism between modified polyvinyl alcohol fibers and geopolymer concrete. Results showed that nano-SiO2 modified polyvinyl alcohol fibers increased surface roughness, thereby enhancing interfacial adhesion and mechanical interlocking between fibers and geopolymer concrete, significantly improving compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths of geopolymer concrete with an optimal fiber dosage of 0.2 %. Relative to unmodified PVA fibers, the modified fibers enhance the compressive, splitting tensile, flexural strength, and elastic modulus by 20.19 %, 15.72 %, 22.34 %, and 30.58 % respectively. KH560 serves as an intermediate medium for nano-SiO2 modified polyvinyl alcohol fibers, generating numerous hydrogen bonds at the interface and tightly adhering nano-SiO2 to the surface of polyvinyl alcohol fibers. Additionally, nano-SiO2 can form ionic bonds and stable Si-O-Si bonds with the hydrated sodium aluminosilicate gel.

Study on mechanical properties and anti-erosion performance of fiber reinforced seawater sea sand concrete

In order to study the mechanical properties of seawater sea sand concrete and the durability damage law of seawater sea sand concrete under the action of seawater erosion, corresponding specimens were prepared and subjected to cube compressive strength, flexural strength, and dry-wet cycle tests by taking the volume dosage of glass fibers and polyvinyl alcohol fibers as variables. The test combined SEM scanning and EDS to analyze the microstructure of fiber-reinforced seawater sand concrete, and established a model based on the two-parameter Weibull probability distribution. The results show that the fiber has a significant effect on improving the mechanical properties and erosion resistance of seawater sand concrete. When the total volume content is 0.3% and the mixing ratio is 1:1, the improvement effect is the best. The maximum increase in cubic compressive strength was 24.2%; the maximum increase in flexural strength was 38.8%. After the specimens were subjected to wet and dry cycles for 360d, the maximum reduction in mass loss rate was 41.23%; the maximum reduction in strength loss rate was 27.55%. As observed from the microscopic images, the main disadvantage of SSC is that the salt crystallization and swelling matter produced by the erosion ions will weaken the bond between aggregate and mortar, resulting in defects in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). Under the action of dry-wet cycles, the alternating dry-wet forces, the expansion pressure generated by expansive substances and the crystallization pressure generated by salt crystallization will change the microstructure, and therefore the damage of the specimen will deepen with the extension of erosion time. The microscopic images also show that the doping fibers can improve the internal integrity and compactness of the matrix, thus significantly improving the mechanical properties and durability of seawater sea sand concrete. In this test, a damage model was established based on the two-parameter Weibull distribution model, and the damage law between strength loss and dry-wet cycles was fitted, which provides a favorable basis to study the damage of seawater sea sand concrete under wet-dry cycling.

Splitting behavior of polyvinyl alcohol fiber reinforced iron ore tailings concrete

To promote solid waste reutilization and reduce natural river sand consumption, iron ore tailings (IOT) are expected to be used in concrete production as a potential substitute for river sand under the premise of comparable material properties with ordinary concrete. In this study an IOT concrete reinforced by Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) fiber has been proposed and the slump and splitting behavior under various IOT substitution rates and PVA fiber contents has been experimentally investigated. Slump tests reveal that the optimal PVA fiber content is 0.1 % and IOT substitution rate is 60 % from the view of workability. Splitting tensile tests show a monotonous strength growth with PVA fiber content increase. The incorporation of IOT has increased concrete splitting tensile strength but the strength is smaller than that of normal concrete as soon as IOT substitution rates exceed 50 %. A regression model and Back Propagation (BP) neural network model have been adopted to establish splitting tensile strength prediction model. Compared to regression model, the BP model has exhibited better accuracy which is suitable to predict the splitting tensile strength of PVA-IOT concrete with PVA content less than 0.3 %.

The Influence and Mechanism of Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber on the Mechanical Properties and Durability of High-Performance Shotcrete

This study investigates the impact of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers on the mechanical properties and durability of high-performance shotcrete (HPS). Results demonstrate that PVA fibers have a dual impact on the performance of HPS. Positively, PVA fibers enhance the tensile strength and toughness of shotcrete due to their intrinsic high tensile strength and fiber-bridging effect, which significantly improves the material’s splitting tensile strength, deformation resistance, and toughness, and the splitting tensile strength and peak strain have been found to be increased by up to 30.77% and 31.51%, respectively. On the other hand, the random distribution and potential agglomeration of PVA fibers within the HPS matrix can lead to increased air-void formations. This phenomenon raises the volume content of large bubbles and increases the average bubble area and diameter, thereby elevating the pore volume fraction within the 500–1200 μm and >1200 μm ranges. Therefore, these microstructural changes reduce the compactness of the HPS matrix, resulting in a decrease in compressive strength and elastic modulus. The compressive strength exhibited a reduction ranging from 10.44% to 15.11%, while the elastic modulus showed a decrease of between 8.09% and 12.67%. Overall, the PVA-HPS mixtures with different mix proportions demonstrated excellent frost resistance, chloride ion penetration resistance, and carbonation resistance. The electrical charge passed ranged from 133 to 370 C, and the carbonation depth varied between 2.04 and 6.12 mm. Although the incorporation of PVA fibers reduced the permeability and carbonation resistance of shotcrete, it significantly mitigated the loss of tensile strength during freeze–thaw cycles. The findings offer insights into optimizing the use of PVA fibers in HPS applications, balancing enhancements in tensile properties with potential impacts on compressive performance.

Development of sustainable alkali activated composite incorporated with sugarcane bagasse ash and polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

The infrastructure boom has driven up cement demand to 30 billion tons annually. To address this and promote sustainable construction, researchers are developing solutions for carbon-neutral building practices, aiming to transform industrial waste into an eco-friendly alternative. This study aims to develop and enhance the mechanical and durability properties of alkali-activated composites (AACs) by incorporating varying amounts (5, 10, 15, and 20%) of finely ground bagasse ash (GBA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers. Results indicate that higher GBA content initially reduces the 7th and 14th-day strength but results in increased strength at later ages. The optimum 28-day strength is achieved with a 10% GBA content, leading to a 10% increase in compressive strength, 8% increase in tensile strength, and 12% increase in flexural strength. Additionally, the incorporation of GBA enhanced the resistance of the composite to chloride ingress, thus reducing its conductance and increasing the overall durability. This study demonstrated the potential of GBA as an eco-friendly material, emphasizing the significance of tailored AACs formulations for durable and sustainable construction practices.