Effect of Fiber Reinforcement on the Compression and Flexural Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymers

Abstract

This work aimed to determine the effect of the addition of different types of reinforcing fibers on the strength properties of geopolymers such as flexural and compressive strength. Geopolymers are an attractive alternative to conventional binders and building materials; however, one of the main problems of their widespread use is their low resistance to brittle fracture. To improve the mechanical properties, reinforcement in the form of glass, carbon, and basalt fibers (as grids) was applied to geopolymers in the following work. Additionally, composites with these fibers were produced not only in the matrix of pure geopolymer but also as a hybrid variant with the addition of cement. Furthermore, basalt grids were used as reinforcement for geopolymers not only based on ash but also metakaolin. An additional variable used in the study was the molar concentration of the alkali solution (5 M and 10 M) for the different types of geopolymer samples. The mechanical properties of geopolymer materials and geopolymer–cement hybrids are the highest when reinforcement in the form of carbon fiber is used. Strength values for geopolymers reinforced with basalt mats depend on the number of reinforcement layers and the concentration of the alkaline solution used. All produced composites were tested for compressive strength and bending strength. When using basalt mesh, it was possible to achieve a bending strength of 12 MPa. The highest compressive strength that was achieved was the value of 66 MPa, while for samples not reinforced with fibers, only about 40 MPa was achieved.

Experimental and Artificial Neural Network-Based Study on the Sorptivity Characteristics of Geopolymer Concrete with Recycled Cementitious Materials and Basalt Fibres

“…The recent research on the mechanical-thermal-chemical and durability characteristics also confirms that the geopolymer concretes outperform traditional cement concrete, especially in fire resistance and chemical resistance, proving to be a sustainable and durable alternative [1,21]. Using industry waste products has also helped reduce the environmental impacts of the metallurgical and mining industries, thus offering ecological benefits and preventing further contamination of soils and water resources [22,23]. The production process of geopolymer concrete also meets the circularity principles in which the reliability of virgin raw materials is drastically reduced [22].…”

“…Using industry waste products has also helped reduce the environmental impacts of the metallurgical and mining industries, thus offering ecological benefits and preventing further contamination of soils and water resources [22,23]. The production process of geopolymer concrete also meets the circularity principles in which the reliability of virgin raw materials is drastically reduced [22].…”

Use of Carbon and Basalt Fibers with Adhesives to Improve Physical and Mechanical Properties of Laminated Veneer Lumber

“…Since FRP materials have become popular, several authors have studied the reinforcement of different construction materials with engineering fibers, for example, in concrete mixtures [15], coral sand cement mortar [16], geopolymer concretes [17], geopolymers [18], oil well cement [19], solid wood [20,21], vintage wood [22], wood beams [23] and others, to improve their mechanical properties, restoring construction materials and finding environmentally friendly reinforcements.…”

Properties of 3D Printed Concrete–Geopolymer Hybrids Reinforced with Aramid Roving

“…One type of material that is an excellent alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is geopolymers [ 6 ]. A geopolymer is an inorganic amorphous polymer, formed by adding an alkaline solution to aluminosilicate precursors (e.g., metakaolin, fly ash) [ 7 ].…”