Mechanical Properties and Structural Design of PVA Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites with Fly Ash Replacement for Natural Sand Aggregates

This paper presents a combined theoretical and experimental investigation of an innovative building material known as PVA Fiber Reinforced Composite - an advanced class of cement-based materials renowned for their exceptional flexibility and superior crack control, overcoming the limitations of traditional concrete. The study aimed to develop new compositions and conduct a comparative performance analysis. The proposed composites utilize locally available cement at conventional dosage levels, incorporating high volumes of fly ash, silica fume, PVA fibers, and a superplasticizer, while entirely omitting stone and sand aggregates. A total of nine compositions were designed and tested: four with uncoated PVA fibers at 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5%, four with oil-coated PVA fibers in the same proportions, one control mix containing sand aggregates. The research evaluated key experimental and design parameters, including bulk density, compressive strength and strain, secant modulus of elasticity, flexural tensile strength and deflection, fracture energy, and structural design applicability. As a novel building material aimed at enhancing both environmental sustainability and structural performance, the studied fiber-reinforced composites exhibit promising characteristics, positioning them as viable alternatives for practical construction applications.