Fiber-reinforced one-part alkali-activated slag/ceramic binders

In the present experimental/numerical study, a combination of ceramic waste and ground-granulated blast furnace slag were used in the preparation of one-part alkali-activated binders. Moreover, the effect of fiber type and content on hardened-state properties and shrinkage was studied under two different curing conditions. In the first stage of this study water absorption, compressive strength, and flexural strength were assessed. Subsequently, the flexural performance of fiber-reinforced binders was simulated and predicted using finite element models under concentrated and distributed flexural loading, respectively. The experimental results showed that fibers improved mechanical properties, and enhancement was governed by fiber type and curing conditions. Moreover, the numerical results indicated that the developed fiber-reinforced binders offer a flexural load-carrying capacity in the range of 10-40 kN/m2 and permissible service loads were well below the ultimate capacity.