ORCID Identifier(s)

ORCID 0000-0003-1727-4123

Graduation Semester and Year

Summer 2025

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering

Department

Civil Engineering

First Advisor

Prof. Maria Konsta-Gdoutos

Second Advisor

Prof. Surendra P. Shah

Abstract

RESILIENT AND DURABLE CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITES: EFFECTS OF INTEGRATING WASTE-DERIVED CELLULOSE FIBERS

Mohammad Jaberizadeh, Ph.D.

The University of Texas at Arlington, 2025

Supervising Professor: Maria S. Konsta-Gdoutos

Co-advising Professor: Surendra P. Shah

Concrete, while the most versatile construction material, exhibits environmental impacts and vulnerability to early-age and long-term durability issues. To align with circular economy goals and advance durable infrastructure, this dissertation explores the use of waste cellulose fibers (WCFs) to produce resilient and durable cementitious composites. WCFs offer desirable mechanical properties and internal curing capabilities, but their broader adoption is hindered by vulnerability to degradation in the highly alkaline environment of cement matrices. This research introduces carbonation curing as an innovative protective strategy to enhance the durability and reinforcing efficiency of WCF in cementitious composites. A novel curing protocol was developed and validated through microstructural characterization and mechanical testing. Experimental results demonstrate that carbonation curing to selectively reduce the alkalinity at the fiber–matrix interfacial area effectively mitigates fiber degradation, preserves interfacial adhesion, and substantially increases the fiber–matrix modulus of elasticity and the tensile strain capacity of concrete. Beyond structural enhancement, the composites exhibit multifunctional characteristics, including reduced thermal conductivity for energy-efficient construction, improved rheological performance and enhanced passive carbon sequestration. Laboratory-scale immersion tests further confirmed the reduced permeability of carbonated samples, indicating improved resistance to moisture-induced deterioration.

Keywords

Waste-Derived Cellulose Fibers, Cementitious Composites, Mechanical Properties, Durability, Resilience, Autogenous Shrinkage, Carbonation, Thermal Conductivity, Rheological Properties, Carbon Uptake

Disciplines

Civil Engineering | Structural Engineering | Structural Materials

Download

Available for download on Thursday, August 12, 2027

Share

COinS