Investigation on the flexural behavior of geopolymer ferrocement slabs with nano silica

Abstract

Ferrocement based structures are attracting attention in the construction industry because of its enhanced strengthening, serviceability and durability properties. Ferrocement possess certain unique properties, such as high tensile strength-to-weight ratio, superior cracking behaviour, molding ability to any shape, lightweight, and also having main advantages as application of locally available constituents and less-skilled workmanship. The enhanced properties of ferrocement structures shows the difference between other strengthening materials. Ferrocement is a reinforced concrete which is different from normal reinforced concrete by means of arrangement and dispersal of reinforcement. Similarly, Geopolymer is the most exciting and innovative technology in the infrastructure industry, mainly for environmental sustainability. Geopolymer is made from alumina and silica rich source materials activated with high alkali solutions such as Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Sodium silicate (Na2SiO2), Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and Potassium silicate (K2SiO2). newlineThe main objective of this research is to study the geopolymer based ferrocement slab element s flexural property and analysing the optimized combination, as well as to find the suitability of Geopolymer mortar instead of cement mortar in the structural elements and the enhancement of property. In this experimental investigation the compressive strength, flexural behaviour and durability properties of Nano silica based geopolymer incorporated ferrocement slab element using Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) wounded wire mesh have been analysed experimentally in detail at both room temperature curing and hot curing at 60°C. newline