Evaluating Bulky PVA-ECC Mortar Developed with River Sand, Silica Fume, and High-Volume Fly Ash: A Focus on Short- and Long-Term Compressive Strength

Abstract

The construction industry has been increasingly concerned with the environment and sustainability, and one solution is engineered cementitious composites (ECC), which have self-healing, ductility, and strength properties. Researchers have been working to make ECC greener by creating synergistic mechanical interactions between fibers, matrices, and fiber-matrix interfaces. This study developed ECC using local river sand, silica fume, moderate to high-volume fly ash (FA), and bulky PVA fibers, evaluating workability and compressive strength at various testing ages (1, 7, 28, 60, and 180 days). According to the test findings, fresh ECC mortar mixtures exhibit an increase in workability with increasing FA content due to the spherical and glossy form of FA particles. All ECC samples have a compressive strength of over 20 MPa after 1 day, making them high-early compressive strength composites. The sample with the highest compressive strength after 28 days was 111.28 MPa. PVA fibers, FA, and SF contribute to increasing strength while using local river sand as an ingredient in composite mixtures is also beneficial. The samples experienced a bulging process during failure due to the use of oiled PVA fibers. The maximum load before the collapse was attained after a longer period of time where smeared cracks were visible on the samples' surface. Based on the analysis of the compressive strength over a period of more than 28 days, it is clear that both ECC mortar and bulky PVA-ECC samples exhibit sufficient strength stability. It is worth mentioning that as the curing age of ECC increases, there is a gradual increase in strength, although the level of increase is relatively slow.