Study of Mechanical Behavior of Geopolymeric Mortars Reinforced with Ichu Fibers

Abstract

Reinforced geopolymeric mortars were manufactured by mixing mining tailings, fine sand, Ichu fibers (in variable percentages), sodium hydroxide and water. The microstructure of the obtained mortars consisted of a continuous geopolymer binder phase with sand particles and Ichu fibers dispersed within the binder phase. The real density and average porosity of the reinforced mortars was 2.74 g/cm3 and 34%, respectively. It was possible to verify the influence of the addition of Ichu fibers on the mechanical response in uniaxial compression of the studied mortars, due to the poor interface between the geopolymer and the fibers. The mechanical results revealed a systematic reduction of the maximum compressive strength when the volume of Ichu fibers in the mortar mixtures was increased. On the other hand, a higher degree of deformation was evidenced in mortar mixtures containing a greater amount of Ichu fibers, reaching deformation values ​​of up to 5%. The maximum resistance values ​​found were from 2.87 to 20.76 MPa for samples with 8 and 0 vol.% of Ichu fibers added, respectively.