Production of One-Part Alkali-Activated Mortars Reinforced with Waste-Based Corn Stalk Fibers

SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, cilt.13, sa.4, ss.17-32, 2026 (Scopus)

The objective of this experimental research is to investigate the possibilities of using waste-based Corn Stalk Fibers

(CSF) in one-part Alkali-Activated Mortars (AAMO) to determine the impact of fiber properties on the physical, thermal, and

mechanical characteristics of the material and the effectiveness of the fiber in increasing the strength under bending loads and

developing ductile fracture behaviour. The optimal fiber content and length are 3% and 30 mm, respectively. Increasing the

CSF content from 1% to 3% increases the Flexural Strength (FS) of the AAMO while decreasing its Unit Weight (UW),

Compressive Strength (CS), Ultrasound Pulse Velocity (UPV), Modulus of Elasticity (MoE), and Thermal Conductivity

coefficient (TC). More ductile fracture behaviour is observed with the inclusion of CSF. The porosity (P) (19.11%), Water

Absorption ratio (WA) (14.89%), TC (0.48 W/mK), and FS and CS (3.36 and 6.03 MPa, respectively) of the CSF-reinforced one-

part AAMO meet the expected performance criteria. Although extending the curing period from 28 days to 365 days enhances

the properties, the period between 28 and 90 days is more effective.