Laboratory Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Cementitious Composites with a Low Brittleness

In this study, laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the mechanical behaviors of cement mortars incorporated with different admixtures, such as polypropylene fiber (PP), slag, silica fume and fly ash. Orthogonal tests were designed to evaluate the effects of the admixtures on the brittleness. The flexural strengths and the compressive-flexural ratios were selected to evaluate the brittleness. The optimal proportion can be obtained when PP content was 1.6 kg/m3, and the content of fly ash, slag and silica fume was 10%, 20% and 3% of the cement content respectively. Using the optimal proportion, the 3d flexural strength of cement mortar was 5.65 MPa, which was 19% larger than the specimens without the addition of admixtures; the compressive-flexural ratio was 4.1, which was reduced by 19% in contrast to the control group. The flexural strength at 28d was 9.04 MPa, which was 13% higher than the control group; and the compressive-flexural ratio was 4.21, decreasing 24% compared to the control group. SEM technology was utilized to characterize the evolution of the microstructure induced by the addition of mineral admixtures and PP fiber. Results showed that mineral admixtures made the mortars denser, and the PP fiber formed a cross-linking structure, improving the brittle-resistance. The test results provided some guidance for the mixture design of pavement concrete with a high flexural strength and a low brittleness.