Carbon fiber reinforced geopolymer (FRG) mix design based on liquid film thickness

Abstract

Though featured by the improved durability and sustainability, wider application of geopolymer has been impeded largely by its intrinsic brittleness. Adding fibers to transform it into fiber reinforced geopolymer (FRG) to ameliorate the brittleness and improve the performance is a promising method that is yet to be explored further. In this study, plain and carbon FRG with varying water to binder ratios were developed, whereby various performance attributes were obtained and evaluated. The addition of carbon fibers showed negative effects on workability but positive effects on strengths and such influences were discussed based on strength-workability relations. Moreover, correlations revealed two governing factors of liquid film thickness (LFT) and fiber factor with which the workability was modelled. Lastly, tests results acquired from the literature and the present study were analysed to elucidate the ascendancy in fiber effectiveness for geopolymer compared to cement-based materials, suggesting some unreleased potentials of fiber technology.