Title:
Durability of Fiber Reinforced Mortar
Author(s):
K. Kosa, A. E. Naaman, and W. Hansen
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
88
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
310-319
Keywords:
deterioration; durability; fiber reinforced concrete; slurries; flexural strength; glass fibers; metal fibers; mortars (materials); tests; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/1957
Date:
5/1/1991
Abstract:
The durability properties of four types of fiber reinforced cement composites are compared. The four composites are conventional steel (SFRM), polypropylene, glass fiber reinforced mortar (GFRM), and slurry infiltrated fiber concrete (SIFCON). To accelerate deterioration, the test program consisted of exposure to intermittent drying and wetting conditions in a 3.5 percent sodium chloride solution (simulating seawater), maintained at 50 C over periods of 2 to 10 months. After exposure, flexural tests were performed to evaluate the effect of deterioration on the flexural strength and toughness of the composites. Results indicate that polypropylene reinforced mortar has the best overall durability, while glass fiber reinforced mortar shows the poorest overall performance. Steel fiber reinforced mortar showed noticeable reduction in flexural strength and a dramatic reduction in toughness. For SIFCON, the reduction in strength and toughness were both moderate. A prediction model for the long-term deterioration of steel fiber reinforced mortar is proposed and a sample analysis is performed. The analysis indicates that corrosion can be very critical for thin panel structures of the order of 0.5 in. (12.5 mm) in depth, but diminishes substantially for structures with depths about 4 in. (100 mm) or larger. While cement mortar was used in this study because of the nature of the thin specimens tested, the conclusions should generally apply to fiber reinforced concrete where the coarse aggregate is of sufficient quality not to contribute to corrosion.