Behavior Deterioration and Microstructure Change of Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composite (PVA-ECC) after Exposure to Elevated Temperatures

In the case of fire, explosive spalling often occurs in cementitious composites due to dense microstructure and high pore-pressure. Polymer fibers were proved to be effective in mitigating such behavior. However, deterioration of these fiber-reinforced cementitious composites inevitably occurs, which is vital for the prediction of structural performance and prevention of catastrophic disaster. This paper concentrates on the behavior and mechanism of the deterioration of polyvinyl alcohol fiber-reinforced engineered cementitious composite (PVA-ECC) after exposure to elevated temperatures. Surface change, cracking, and spalling behavior of the cubic specimens were observed at room temperature, and after exposure to 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, and 1200 °C. Losses in specimen weight and compressive strength were evaluated. Test results indicated that explosive spalling behavior was effectively prevented with 2.0 vol% polyvinyl alcohol fiber although the strength monotonically decreased with heating temperature. X-ray diffraction curves showed that the calcium hydroxide initially decomposed in the range of 400–600 °C, and finished beyond 600 °C, while calcium silicate hydrate began at around 400 °C and completely decomposed at approximately 800 °C. Micrographs implied a reduction in fiber diameter at 200 °C, exhibiting apparent needle-like channels beyond 400 °C. When the temperature was increased to 600 °C and above, the dents were gradually filled with newly produced substance due to the synergistic effect of thermal expansion, volume expansion of chemical reactions, and pore structure coarsening