Impact of metakaolin on mechanical performance of flax textile-reinforced cement-based composites

This study presents research on the effect of Portland cement (PC) replacement with metakaolin mechanical behavior flax textile-reinforced cementitious matrices (TRCM). The composition and in-situ fibres was determined using X-ray diffraction thermogravimetric analysis, while reinforcement efficiency textile TRCMs investigated by three-point bending tests finite element analysis. High amounts PC provided a calcium hydroxide-free environment, more suitable for natural fibres, to avoid their degradation embrittlement and, thus, significantly contribute ductility cement-based composite material. • Production CH-free matrix replacing metakaolin. Replacing limits fibres' embrittlement. Higher content increases fibre-matrix interface bond. Metakaolin brings significant improvements in TRCMs' ductility. F max TRCM is well predicted microplane hyperelastic material models.