Influence of microsilica and polypropylene fibers on the fresh and mechanical properties of ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete (UHP-GPC)
Bassam A. Tayeh, Mahmoud H. Akeed, Shaker Qaidi, B.H. Abu Bakar
Abstract
The goal of this research is to identify the impact of microsilica and polypropylene fibers (PF) on the mechanical characteristics of an ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete (UHP-GPC). The workability, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and splitting tensile strength of a total of 20 concrete mixtures were evaluated experimentally. To produce the mixtures, PF was utilized at four different volume fractions: 0 %, 0.75 %, 1.75 %, and 2.75 %. Moreover, five microsilica levels were employed in terms of the total mass of the binder: 0 %, 7.5 %, 15 %, 25 %, and 35 %. The findings showed that when 15 % microsilica was added to UHP-GPC, the mechanical characteristics were significantly degraded, but then enhanced when more than 15 % microsilica was added. Furthermore, PF contributes significantly to the mechanical characteristics of UHP-GPC and introducing 2.75 % PF minimizes a significant drop in the characteristics of UHP-GPC when 15 % microsilica is employed.