Performance of laterite-based geopolymers reinforced with sugarcane bagasse fibers

Abstract

In this study, sugarcane bagasse fibres (SBF) were used as a sustainable alternative to reinforce laterite-based geopolymers. As geopolymers can be deemed an eco-friendly construction material, the sustainability of geopolymers can be further improved with the use of SBF which is an agricultural by-product as reinforcement. In addition, the use of natural fibres has been known to improve insulation properties resulting in more energy conservation when such materials reinforced with natural fibres are used for the construction of building elements. Thus, the influence of SBF at various dosages (i.e. 1.5%, 3%, 4.5%, 6% and 7.5%) on the properties of laterite-based geopolymer was evaluated in this study. The outcome of this study indicated that incorporating SBF into the laterite-based geopolymers resulted in a decrease in density and increase in the sonic rate which is beneficial to the acoustic and thermal insulation enhancement. In addition, it was found out that the use of SBF at a dosage of 3% improved the resistance of the geopolymers to wet-dry cycles. However, the presence of SBF in the geopolymers resulted in a decrease in the compressive strength and an increase in the permeability properties with higher content of SBF.

Keywords

• Geopolymers
• Laterite
• Sugarcane bagasse fibres
• Sustainability
• Lightweight composite