Effect of Fiber Reinforcement on the Tensile Strength and Ductility of Fly Ash Based Composites

Abstract

In India, the majority of power production (73%) is generated from thermal sources, with coal-based production contributing 90% of the total installed power capacity. This reliance on coal for power production results in significant amounts of fly ash, a byproduct, which is often disposed of in on-site impoundments behind engineered earth dams. As the country continues to rely on coal for power generation, the management of fly ash becomes a growing concern. One potential solution for utilizing fly ash is to use it as a construction material for applications such as embankments and fills. In this study, the properties of fly ash and galvanized iron (GI) reinforcement were investigated, along with the effect of reinforcement on the stress-strain behavior of fly ash. A series of laboratory tests were conducted on fly ash using uniaxial compression tests. The tests were performed on fly ash samples with varying dry densities and optimum moisture content (OMC), determined through standard proctor tests. Additional tests were conducted using modified proctor tests to obtain different dry densities and OMC values. The stress-strain behavior of the fly ash samples was analyzed by varying the number and location of GI reinforcement. The study found that the inclusion of GI reinforcement increased the peak stress and axial strain at failure. Additionally, as the number of GI reinforcements increased, the effect of reinforcement on the fly ash decreased. The study also observed that reducing the moisture content percentage resulted in increased strength of the fly ash. Overall, the study concluded that the inclusion of reinforcement in fly ash layers can significantly increase their strength and stiffness. As a result, comparable strength can be achieved even with a reduced thickness of the fly ash layer. This research highlights the potential for utilizing fly ash as a construction material and the positive impact of GI reinforcement on its mechanical properties. Implementing such practices could provide sustainable solutions for fly ash management in India's power generation sector.