Fire Resistance of Crushed Brick-Based Alkali-Activated Mortars

Dalibor Kramarič; Ivanka N. Grubeša; Neno Torič; Rosana Ribič; Nevenka Mijatovič; Milica V. Vasič

doi:10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-04-05

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Dalibor Kramarič
dakramaric@unin.hr
Department of Civil Engineering, University North, Jurja Križaniča 31b, 42000 Varaždin,, Croatia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9625-6324
Ivanka N. Grubeša Department of Civil Engineering, University North, Jurja Križaniča 31b, 42000 Varaždin,, Croatia
Neno Torič Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy, University of Split, 21000 Split,, Croatia
Rosana Ribič Department of Civil Engineering, University North, Jurja Križaniča 31b, 42000 Varaždin,, Croatia
Nevenka Mijatovič Centre for Materials, Institute for Testing of Materials IMS, Bulevar Vojvode Mišiča 43, 11000 Belgrade,, Serbia
Milica V. Vasič Centre for Materials, Institute for Testing of Materials IMS, Bulevar Vojvode Mišiča 43, 11000 Belgrade,, Serbia

Vol. 11 No. 4 (2025): April

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This study investigates the fire resistance of alkali-activated mortar incorporating crushed brick as both a precursor and aggregate. The optimal alkaline activator was identified as a combination of KOH and Naâ‚‚SiOâ‚ƒ, with a curing period of 3 days at 70 °C. Two mortar series were produced, each exhibiting different workability: on series comprised cement mortar, while the other included three alkali-activated mortars, with variations in the molarity of the KOH solution. The mortar samples were subsequently heated to 600°C, and their mechanical properties and mass were measured to determine residual values/losses. The best-performing alkali-activated and cement mortars underwent visual assessments of cross-sections to evaluate the impact of mortar consistency on fire resistance. Additionally, changes in mineralogy and microstructure were followed by instrumental techniques to clarify the results before and after heating. While cement mortars had superior mechanical properties at room temperature, alkali-activated mortars retained a higher percentage of their mechanical properties post-heating, demonstrating better fire resistance. Mortars with plastic consistency showed better fire resistance than those with fluid consistency. These findings suggest that brick-based alkali-activated mortars could be developed into fire protection boards for structural members.

Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-04-05

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Publication Start Year:	2015
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Fire Resistance of Crushed Brick-Based Alkali-Activated Mortars

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