Composite Performance Evaluation of Basalt Textile-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortar

Abstract

Basalt fiber is a novel type of inorganic fiber which is produced from the extrusion of natural vocalnic basalt rocks through their melting process at high temperature. So the quality and strength characteristics of basalt fiber depend mainly on both the quality of raw material and manufacturing processing. Basalt fabric-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCM) are a novel composite and an extensive scientific investigation is still ongoing for geopolymer composite. Based on three types of basalt textile with respect to various net sizes, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the flexural performance of basalt textile-reinforced geopolymer composite through the four-point bending test. The specimens of rectangular form with the dimension of 400 × 100 × 15 mm3, reinforced with one to four layers of each type of basalt textile, were produced. They were then tested at the age of about 40 days after casting. On the other hand, the number of the specimens reinforced with four layers were considered to assess the mechanical strength of the specimens at longer periods of ageing time (60, 90, 150, 180 days). The experimental results showed that with the increasing number of reinforcing layers, the specimens significantly improved the mechanical strength, except for those reinforced with basalt textile of big net size. The specimens reinforced with basalt textile of big net size had no impact on post-crack mechanical strength, however, it helps to arrest the catastrophic brittle failure of the specimens; the failure of these specimens is due to localization of first crack. When the specimens were exposed to the further ageing times, the mechanical strength of the specimens were decreased over time. All the reinforced specimens have the same failure mode by flexural failure due to the rupture of fiber yarn in matrix, and no debonding of fiber yarn or a gradual peeling process of mortar matrix happened during testing.

Flexural Performance Evaluation of Various Carbon Fibre Fabric Reinforced Geopolymer Composite

“…In general, the geopolymer composite reinforced with the carbon fibre meshes produced a displacement-hardening behaviour and the load-displacement response of these specimens varies differently which depends on the mechanical properties of the fibre yarn and the reinforcement ratio. This type of behaviour is typically characterised by three different stages, which have been clearly presented in previous research [26,29]. The first stage is identified by a linear increase in the load until the first crack in the matrix happened.…”

“…A four-point bending test was used to evaluate the composite performance of the TRG specimens. The detailed description of the specimen arrangement and testing process was shown in the previous publication [26]. The testing machine with a load cell capacity of 100 kN (FP Lab Test II, from LABORTECH s.r.o Opava, Czech Republic), located at the Technical University of Liberec Laboratory, with an applied load under displacement control at a loading rate of 4 mm•min -1 , was used.…”

“…A proven carbon textile with high mechanical properties combined with a high-strength geopolymer matrix promises that these composite materials can be used successfully in a wide range of applications where the TRC composite is required as mentioned above, such as the retrofitting of damaged structures, the strengthening of existing structures, the pre-casting of multi-layer proof panels or tunnel linings, etc. In the previous publication, the authors presented the flexural performance of basalt fibre meshes reinforced with a geopolymer matrix [26]. The results showed that the multi-layer and small net size type of the basalt fibre mesh should be used to reinforce the specimens in order to achieve a high reinforcement effectiveness.…”

Bending Behavior of Fiberglass Textile-Reinforced Thin Geopolymer Mortar Panels

“…Only a few studies have been conducted on TRGM panels, such as Tamburini et al [14], Shaikh et al [15], Menna et al [16], and Le Chi et al [17]. According to these experiments, the textile grids transformed the matrix's brittleness to ductility and avoided stress localization in the first cark region.…”

Mechanical behaviors of cementations matrix composites reinforced with basalt weft-knitted spacer fabric under low-velocity impact

“…In addition, many researchers have investigated the impact resistance behavior of cement-based composites reinforced with basalt fibers or fabrics. For basalt fiber, the influence of its content, length and distribution 10,11 on the impact response of the concrete matrix is usually examined, and for basalt fabric, the effects of its number of layers and structure 12,13 on the matrix are often explored. In addition, sometimes changes in external factors, such as temperature and impact velocity, during the impact event will also be taken into consideration.…”