Performance Evaluation Of Natural Zeolite-based Fiber Reinforced Concrete Under Flexural And Tensile Loading

Abstract

The Incorporation Of Supplementary Cementitious Materials And Fiber Reinforcement Has Become An Effective Strategy For Developing Sustainable Concrete With Enhanced Structural Performance. Among These Materials, Natural Zeolite Possesses Significant Pozzolanic Properties That Improve The Cementitious Matrix, While Hooked-end Steel Fibers Enhance Crack Resistance And Post-cracking Behavior. This Study Examines The Combined Effect Of Natural Zeolite And Steel Fibers On The Split Tensile And Flexural Performance Of M30 Grade Concrete Prepared Using 100% Manufactured Sand (M-sand) As The Fine Aggregate. Cement Was Partially Replaced With 0%, 5%, 10%, And 15% Natural Zeolite, While The Steel Fiber Content Was Maintained At 1% In All Modified Mixtures. A Constant Water-to-cement Ratio Of 0.45 Was Adopted, And The Concrete Specimens Were Tested For Split Tensile And Flexural Strength After 7 And 28 Days Of Standard Water Curing. The Results Indicate That The Incorporation Of Natural Zeolite Substantially Improved The Tensile And Flexural Characteristics Of Concrete Up To An Optimum Replacement Level Of 10%. The Enhanced Performance Is Attributed To The Formation Of A Denser Cementitious Matrix Through Secondary Pozzolanic Reactions And The Crack-arresting Mechanism Provided By The Hooked-end Steel Fibers. The Optimum Mix Exhibited Superior Resistance To Tensile Cracking And Bending Stresses, Reflecting Improved Structural Efficiency Under Service Loading. Although A Slight Decrease In Strength Was Observed At 15% Natural Zeolite Replacement, The Modified Concrete Continued To Outperform The Control Mix. The Study Demonstrates That The Synergistic Combination Of Natural Zeolite, Hooked-end Steel Fibers, And Manufactured Sand Can Be Effectively Utilized To Produce Durable And Sustainable Concrete With Improved Tensile And Flexural Performance, Making It A Suitable Material For Structural Elements Subjected To Significant Tensile And Bending Actions.

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