A study on the impact resistance and hybrid fiber reinforcement of recycled aggregate concrete modified by composite activators

Alkali-activated concrete (AAC) is a focal point in green building material research due to its low carbon footprint and superior performance. This study seeks to enhance the impact resistance of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) by elucidating the synergistic mechanisms of alkali activation, nano-modification, and fiber reinforcement. To this end, four mix designs, incorporating NaOH and NaOH-Na2SiO3 systems with 2 % nano-SiO2(NS), were developed and assessed through setting time, compressive strength, drop hammer impact tests, and XRD/ SEM analyses. The NaOH-Na2SiO3 system exhibited a 23.5 % increase in compressive strength over NaOH, achieving 28.41 MPa, while NS refined pore structures, elevating strength to 32.2 MPa; XRD/SEM analyses confirmed mechanisms of pore refinement and interfacial enhancement. In the optimized system, the NT12-C5 formulation, incorporating polypropylene fiber (PPF) and recycled carbon fiber (RCF), exhibited superior impact resistance, with NS enhancing interfacial bonding between carbon fiber and the matrix, resulting in a 47.8 % increase in initial crack impact energy. The Weibull model validated the reliability of impact performance. Furthermore, life cycle assessment revealed that Soil Solidification Rock Recycled aggregate concrete (SSRRAC) substantially reduced carbon emissions compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC), while maintaining competitive economic costs. This study's innovations include: (1) synergistic optimization of low-carbon AAC performance using NaOH-Na2SiO3 and NS; (2) optimized PPF/RCF formulations promoting the reuse of waste carbon fiber; and (3) application of the Weibull model to overcome conventional statistical constraints. Collectively, these findings establish a theoretical and practical foundation for the global development of sustainable building materials.