Evaluation of the influence of accelerated carbonation on the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of coconut fibre-reinforced cementitious matrix. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bui, Huyen; Boutouil, Mohamed; Levacher, Daniel; Sebaibi, Nassim
• Is Part Of: Journal of building engineering. Volume 39(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Coconut fibre -- Mortar -- Carbonation -- Phenolphthalein -- TGA measurement; Building -- Periodicals; 690.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102269
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-7102

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, two methods were used to measure the carbonation depth of coconut fibre-reinforced mortars that were prepared from Portland cement (PC) and calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSA cement), including traditional phenolphthalein reagent and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Accelerated carbonation was conducted at 4% CO2 concentration, temperature of 20 °C and 65% relative humidity (RH) within 12 weeks. Complete carbonation was detected in the CSA cement-based mortar while PC-based mortar was carbonated partially according to both methods used. The difference in carbonation depth, however, is observed as soon as the reagent and TGA measurement were applied. The significant effectiveness of the carbonation process on the microstructure changes and mechanical characteristics of the cementitious matrix is highlighted through analysis of the change in the quantity of calcium carbonate (CC) and portlandite (CH) on the different mortar profiles and comparison with natural cured samples. Highlights: Using CSA cement-based mortar incorporating coconut fibres could lead to increase carbonation degree in mortar. The carbonation has different effects on the mechanical performance of reinforced mortar. The thermal stability of the non-carbonated area is slightly higher than that of the carbonated area.