Impact of the nature of fibers on the physicomechanical behavior and durability of cement matrices

Abstract

In this paper, the strength of concrete prismatic and cylinders concrete and reinforced with steel and polypropylene fibers are presented. Also, hybrid fibers with crimped steel and polypropylene were used in concrete matrix to study its improvements in strength and durability properties. The steel, polypropylene, and hybrid consisting of polypropylene and steel (crimped) fibers of various proportions by volume of cement were used in concrete mixes. Besides cubes, cylinders of 160 mm diameter X 320 mm high of concrete were cast with steel fiber, polypropylene fiber, and hybrid fiber, respectively, by volume of cement. The water absorption test was conducted on 28 and 90 days, and the test results show that the addition of steel and polypropylene fibers to concrete exhibits better performance. The test results show that use of steel fiber-reinforced concrete improves compressive strength and split tensile strength. The durability of such concrete is also improved