Behaviour of ternary blend fibre reinforced geopolymer concrete under direct shear

Abstract

Direct shear strength have been studied on conventional concrete and ternary blend fibre reinforced geopolymer concrete. Earlier studies indicate that when fibres are added to concrete, it enhances direct shear strength and contribute to a reduction in spacing and width of cracks. Studies on direct shear strength of Ternary blend Geopolymer Concrete (TGPC) has not been investicated. Also, the effects on the addition of fibres on TGPC is not yet studied. The paper is intended to provide a basic understanding of the direct shear behaviour of TGPC reinforced with steel fibers. This paper presents the results of the use of Fly Ash (FA), Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as a ternary blend source material in Geopolymer Concrete (GPC). The study is limited to TGPC with 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% volume fraction of fibres. Push off specimen was used for studying the direct shear behaviour. It was found that fibre addition upto 1% delayed the crack propagation and showed better performance in the ultimate direct shear capacity and toughness than the conventional concrete specimens.