Repair of ordinary concrete using basalt fiber reinforced geopolymer: High temperature resistance and micro structure evolution of adhesive interface

Good bonding properties in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the substrate and the repair material are critical to the success of the repair, and a good repair material can act as a protective layer to reduce the impact of fire on the structure. In this paper, Ordinary concrete (OP), geopolymer mortar (GP), and basalt fiber reinforced geopolymer mortar (GPb) were poured as the three repair materials on the roughened surface of the old substrate. The bonded specimens were exposed to temperatures of 23 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C and 800 °C for 1 h. The interfacial bond strength of the bonded specimens was tested by slant shear test, and the physical phase change of the repair material and the microstructure of the ITZ were analyzed by microscopic test. The results showed that the mechanical properties and high temperature resistance of ITZ were best when the old substrate interfaces were grinded and grooved and GPb was used as the repair material. Compared with S-OP, the bond strength of S-GPb was 26.92 %, 27.43 %, 46.50 %, 44.26 %, and 97.02 % higher at different temperatures. The increase in interfacial bond strength can be attributed to three mechanisms: (1) Mechanical interlocking with the old substrate with a rough surface. (2) The increase in temperature accelerates the volcanic ash reaction, and the formation of hydration products further fills the voids at the ITZ, maintaining the strength and compactness of the ITZ. (3) The addition of basalt fibers can form an anchoring effect at the interface, reducing the risk of interfacial spalling and cracking caused by material shrinkage in the ITZ. • The mechanism of interface and GPb material on the bonding of ITZ was elucidated. • The mechanical interlocking force of ITZ is enhanced when the interface is grooved. • The inclusion of basalt fibers reduces the risk of ITZ cracking at high temperatures. • GPb material contributes to improved chemical bonding of ITZ at high temperatures.