Experimental evaluation of electrical conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced fly-ash based geopolymer

摘要

Geopolymer concrete is finding a growing number of niche applications in the field of civil engineering due to its high compressive strength and strength gain rate, retainage of structural properties in elevated temperature environments, chemical stability in highly acidic conditions and environmental benefits. Combining the above mentioned characteristics with induced electrical conductivity, could enable geopolymer cement to serve as a smart and sustainable cementitious material suitable for health monitoring of civil structures. Carbon fibers were added to fresh geopolymer and OPC (ordinary Portland cement) mixes to enhance their electrical conductivities. AC-impedance spectroscopy analysis was performed on the specimens with fiber fraction ranging from 0.008 to 0.8 with respect to the weight of cementitious binder, to measure their electrical resistivity values and to determine the maximum beneficial fiber content required to attain electrical percolation. Experimental observations suggest that CFR-geopolymer cement exhibits superior performance to CFR-OPC in terms of conducting electrical current.