The Influence of Metakaolin and Polypropylene Fiber Concrete on Mechanics Properties and Microstructure Combined...

The wide distribution of alpine saline areas in China is faced with two major problems, which are salt intrusion and freeze-thaw. In total, 216 specimens were prepared with 6 kinds of concrete mix proportions in this paper. The effects of the single and compound incorporation of metakaolin (MK) and polypropylene fiber (PPF) of different amounts on the mechanical properties and microstructure properties of concrete were investigated under the dual action of multi-salt (NaCl, MgCl₂, Na₂SO₄, and NaHCO₃) soaking and freeze-thaw. Potable water and freeze-thaw concrete were adopted as the control group. Changes in the appearance morphology, mass loss, relative dynamic elastic modulus, and compressive strength of the concrete were tested, and the microstructure of the concrete was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that an admixture of both MK and PPF in the potable water and freeze-thaw cycle test can improve the mechanical properties and frost resistance of concrete. The admixture of PPF can effectively improve the mechanical properties and frost resistance of concrete. However, the admixture of MK failed to improve the mechanical properties and frost resistance of concrete during multi-salt soaking and freeze-thaw. The frost resistance of concrete under multi-salt soaking and freeze-thaw was optimally improved with 10% MK and 0.6 kg/m³ PPF. Its microstructure shows that PPF can effectively inhibit crack propagation and reduce the deterioration of concrete under multi-salt soaking and freeze-thaw.