Experimental Study of the Effect of 2-Element Hybrid Copolymer Fibers and Nano-Silica Particles on Compressive, Tensile and Flexural Strengths of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Concrete

In recent years, geopolymers, as a new class of green cement binders, have gained significant attention as an environmental-friendly alternative to ordinary Portland cement. In this paper, the effect of 2-element hybrid fibers and nano-silica particles on compressive, tensile and flexural strengths of metakaolin-based geopolymer concrete, were studied. First, Preliminary tests were conducted to reach the optimum mixture designs. Then, fibers were added in various ratios with nano silica particles to the concrete mixtures and geopolymer specimens were prepared to study the behavior of geopolymer fibers reinforced metakaolin-based concrete. After curing, specimens were subjected to the indirect tensile and 3-pointflexural strengths tests. The test results showed that using 2-element hybrid fibers and nano-silica particles increases the compressive, tensile and flexural strengths of geopolymer concrete.