Experimental study on the properties of ultra-high-strength geopolymer concrete with polypropylene fibers and nano-silica

PLoS One. 2023 Apr 20;18(4):e0282435. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282435. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Because of the recent progress in materials properties, specifically high-strength concrete, further research is needed to evaluate its suitability, understanding, and performance in the modern-day world. This research aims to enhance the performance of ultra-high-strength geopolymer concrete (UHS-GPC) by adding nano-silica (NS) and polypropylene fibers (PPFs). Three 1%, 2%, and 3% different amounts of PPFs and three NS 5%, 10%, and 15% were utilized in the samples. Various performance parameters of UHS-GPC were evaluated, such as fresh property, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity split tensile, flexural and bonding strength, drying shrinkage, load-displacement test, fracture performance, and elevated temperature. The test outcomes showed that by raising the percentage of PPFs and NS to the allowable limit, the performance of UHS-GPC can be improved significantly. The most improved performance of UHS-GPC was obtained at 2% polypropylene fibers and 10% nano-silica, as the compressive, splitting tensile, flexural. Bond strength was improved by 17.07%, 47.1%, 36.52, and 37.58%, and the modulus of elasticity increased by 31.4% at 56 days. The study showed that the sample with 2% PPFs and 10% NS had excellent performance in the load-displacement test, drying shrinkage, fracture behavior, and elevated temperature. At 750°C elevated temperature, the samples' strength was reduced drastically, but at 250°C, the modified samples showed good resistance to heat by retaining their compressive strength to some degree. The present work showed the suitability of PPFs and NS to develop ultra-high-strength geopolymer concrete, which can be used as a possible alternate material for Portland cement-based concrete.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Compressive Strength
  • Data Compression*
  • Desiccation
  • Elasticity
  • Fever
  • Fractures, Bone*
  • Gastropoda*
  • Polypropylenes
  • Silicon Dioxide

Substances

  • Polypropylenes
  • Silicon Dioxide

Grants and funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University for funding this work through Small Groups Project under grant number RGP.1/116/43, awarded to SA and to the Deanship of Scientific Research at Najran University for funding this work, under the Research Groups Funding program grant code NU/RG/SERC/12/13, awarded to FA.