Synergistic effect of SCMs and fibers on the mechanical and durability performance of cementitious mortars
Materials Today Communications, cilt.55, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 55
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2026.115804
- Dergi Adı: Materials Today Communications
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, INSPEC
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Flexural toughness, High-temperature performance, Polypropylene fibers, Supplementary cementitious materials, Sustainable construction materials
- Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) together with fibers can improve both the mechanical and durability performance of cementitious materials, but their combined role or synergy in mortar mixtures is not yet well defined. Most studies have examined single properties or limited material combinations. In this study, Class F fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and fibrillated polypropylene fibers were used in cementitious mortars adjusted to a similar workability level. Eleven mixtures with different SCM replacement ratios and PP fiber contents were tested for compressive strength, flexural strength, and flexural toughness at 28 and 90 days. Water absorption, drying shrinkage, freeze-thaw resistance, abrasion resistance, and residual performance after high-temperature exposure were also measured. An interaction index was used to compare the hybrid mixtures with the expected performance of SCMs and fibers used separately. The results showed that SCM replacement reduced early-age compressive strength, while PP fibers improved flexural behavior after cracking by bridging cracks and increasing energy absorption. The combined use of SCMs and fibers was more effective for durability and fracture-related properties than for compressive strength, where the response was mainly additive. The clearest improvements were obtained in freeze-thaw resistance, abrasion resistance, high-temperature performance, and flexural toughness. The hybrid mixtures reached up to a sixfold increase in flexural toughness compared with the corresponding non-fibrous SCM mortar. These findings show that SCM-fiber mortars can offer improved durability and toughness while reducing cement content.