Performance of Fiber Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete and Mortar

Abstract

Recently, the application of green concrete as an alternative for conventional concrete has become trendy worldwide. The production of innovative concrete is based on utilizing waste materials as one of the concretes components. Therefore, in recent years witnessed an enormous increase in the studies that investigate Geopolymer’s properties. The previous studies show that workability loss, the need for heat curing and rapid setting time are the main constraints that restrict Geopolymers cast in place applications. First of all, this study owes to reach the optimum activator ratios which achieve the maximum strength with acceptable fresh properties, then study the effect of incorporating different types and quantities of fibers on the fresh and the hardened properties. The experimental program was held on two consecutive phases. Phase (I) owes to reach the optimum activator ratios which achieve the maximum compressive strength with acceptable workability. In Phase (II) three different types of fibers (Glass Fiber 6 mm, Glass Fiber 18 mm, Polypropylene 18 mm) were incorporated in the optimum Geopolymer mixture (achieved from Phase (I)) with three percentages 1%, 2% and 3% (by volume) and was evaluated in terms of fresh and hardened properties. At the end of each phase statistical analysis was conducted to assess the significance of the variable, obtain estimation equation to predict the value of the responses (compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, and workability) for further researches and choose the optimum mixture in light of the results obtained.