Mechanical strength and flexural parameters analysis of micro-steel, polyvinyl and basalt fibre reinforced magnesium phosphate cement mortars

Magnesium phosphate cement composites exhibits higher compressive strength with high brittleness in nature that minimizes the scope of this material for flexural ductility performance. The study targeted to enhance the flexural qualities along with compressive strength of MPC compound through adding the three different fibres such as micro-steel fibre, polyvinyl alcohol fibre and basalt fibre. Inclusion of each fibre was followed a consecutive dosages system such as 0.6%, 0.8%, 1% and 1.2% of the gross mass of binders and aggregate. The compressive strength, three point flexural strength, four point flexural strength and splitting tensile strength tests were considered to explore the flexural characteristics and modulus of elasticity of the prepared fibre reinforced magnesium phosphate cement mortars with the passage of age. The experimental results pointed out the improvement about 20% to 43%, 15% to 25% and 50-72% in the TPFS, FPFS and STS than control specimens at 28d, whereas only around 5% to 10% progresses were noticed in CS for the inclusion of fibres from 0.6% to 1% in FRMPC combinations. In addition, the outcomes of flexural parameters analysis from load-displacement curves exposed the well development for mixing of 0.8-1% MSF and 0.8% PVAF and BF in the representative MPC compositions that displayed the deflection hardening and deflection softening behavior suitably. Moreover, the L-D curves of TPFS showed the advanced MOE because of less stress distribution intensity in whole cubical samples with low deformations in comparison to other two flexural tests. The study also suggested some power equation based empirical expressions for predicting the strength properties at early ages and correlation equations for flexural tests including MOE in relation to CS results. The analytical findings and recommended correlation equations might be applied in the practical applications of FRMPC related aspects. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.