Investigation on effects of sepiolite usage on mechanical, physical and durability properties of glass fiber reinforced concrete

In this study, usability of sepiolite as a pozzolan in cement and effects on mechanical, physical and durability properties of glass fiber reinforced concrete have been investigated. Firstly, physical and chemical properties of Eskişehir regional sepiolite, which has a rich reservoir, have been investigated. Crude and calcined at 900 ºC grinded sepiolites were substituted for CEM I 42,5 R class cement in 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% ratios. Produced cements added grinded sepiolite have been measured in pozzolanic activity according to ASTM C-311. In addition, glass fiber reinforced concrete (GRC) samples were produced by adding 3% glass fiber by volume of mixture which was substituted by crude and calcined sepiolites. The physical and mechanical properties of the GRC samples produced and their abrasion resistance were determined. The microstructural investigations on sepiolite-substituted hardened cement paste and mortars and the findings obtained by SEM, FT-IR and TGA analyzes have been evaluated to observe hydration development. As a result, physical, mechanical and durability properties of sepiolite-substituted cements have been determined and important findings about the usability of grinded crude and calcined sepiolite as pozzolan in the production of GRC.