Crack initiation of selected geopolymer mortars with hemp fibers

Abstract The aim of this paper is to quantify particularly fracture properties of selected types of mortars prepared with an alkali activated binder and hemp fibers. The main attention is focused on evaluation of three-point bending fracture tests of prismatic specimens with an initial central edge notch made of alkali activated fly ash mortars. The load versus crack mouth opening displacement ( F–CMOD ) diagrams were recorded during the fracture tests and subsequently evaluated using the Double- K fracture model. This model allows the quantification of two different levels of crack propagation: initiation, which corresponds to the beginning of stable crack growth, and the level of unstable crack propagation. The course of fracture tests was also monitored by acoustic emission method.