Influence of fiber inclination angle on bond-slip behavior of different alkali-activated composites under dynamic and quasi-static loadings

This study investigates the influence of inclination angle (0° and 45°) on the interfacial bond-slip behavior of macro steel fibers (straight, hooked end-deformed and length-deformed) and length-deformed polypropylene fibers reinforced in fly-ash and metakaolin based alkali-activated composites (AACs) under quasi-static and dynamic loadings. AACs demonstrate superior peak bond strength and toughness compared to cement composites regardless of fiber type and loading rate. Results also show that straight steel fiber exhibits a complete pullout in AACs. The amount of deformation of the fibers (deformation ratio) determined the failure type at different inclination angle and loading rate, thus governing the peak load and energy absorption. Depending on the fiber orientation, premature fiber rupture or matrix cracking is observed under dynamic loading in AACs due to matrix brittleness. The fiber failure modes in dynamic pullout are no different from those observed in the quasi-static pullout in AACs.