Effects of nanoparticles on engineering performance of cementitious composites reinforced with PVA fibers

In this study, the influence of nano-CaCO3 (NC) and nano-SiO2 (NS) on engineering properties of cementitious composites reinforced with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers was investigated including slump and fracture properties as well as compressive, flexural, tensile, and strengths. The influence mechanism of NS content on properties of cementitious composites was revealed. The combined effects of NS and NC were evaluated on the composites made with 0.9% volumetric PVA fiber addition. The experimental results showed that the addition of nanoparticles decreased the workability of fresh cementitious composites reinforced with PVA fibers. Higher NS content deceased more workability and NC reduced more workability than NS for the composites. There was an initial increase and later decrease in compressive and flexural strengths as NS content alters from 0% to 2.5%, while the continuous increase was found in tensile strength. 1.5% NS maximally increased compressive strength and flexural strength, while 2.5% NS is optimal for tensile strength. The composite containing NC exhibited lower strengths than the composite containing the same content of NS. The fracture energy, initiation, and unstable fracture toughness slightly increased with the NS content varying from 0% to 1.5%, while they reduced when NS content was higher than 1.5%. The effects of NS and NC on fracture energy and toughness were inapparent. The failure mode of PVA fibers in the tensile strength test was changed from pull-out to fracture with the addition of NS based on microstructure characterization.