Effect of water, seawater and alkaline solution ageing

on mechanical properties of flax fabric/epoxy

composites used for civil engineering applications
DOI Link :ps://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuhttildmat.2015.09.025
Durability performance is one critical concern regarding the acceptance of bio-composites for
civil engineering application. In this study, the effects of water, seawater and alkaline (5%
NaOH) solution ageing conditions on flax fabric reinforced epoxy composites used for civil
engineering applications (i.e. as external strengthening and confinement of concrete) were
investigated. Composite laminate specimens manufactured by hand lay-up were immersed in
those ageing solutions for 365 days. . The reduction in tensile strength and modulus was 22.6–
31.1% and 24.0–36.4% and the reduction in flexural strength and modulus was 9.3–23.5% and
13.9–25.2%, respectively.
This study investigates the properties and micro-structural characteristics of alkali-activated fly
ash (AAFA) mortars. Sodium oxide (Na2O) dosages of 121 and 150 kg/m3 and liquid sodium
silicate with alkaline modulus ratios of 1.23 and 0.8 were prepared as activators. Three alkaline
solution to binder ratios of 0.35, 0.5, and 0.65 were selected to cast AAFA mortars. This paper
aims at investigating the development mechanism of early-stage strength for cold recycled
asphalt mixture using emulsion asphalt. Moreover, the adhesion between mortar and aggregate
provide the strength for CRME in earth-stage, while the cohesion in emulsion–cement mortar
provides the strength for CRME after curing. The findings in the paper provide new approaches
to improve the early-stage strength of CRME.