Abstract

Fibre reinforcement in concrete is an effective solution for improving tensile properties of concrete. Different types of fibres such as steel, polypropylene, glass and polyester were commonly used in concrete. In the present study, the effect of adding crimped polypropylene fibres on the improvement in the compressive properties of hardened concrete was studied. Crimped polypropylene fibres with different levels of reinforcements index was investigated systematically with designed concrete mixtures consisting of various fibres dosages of 0.1 to 0.5% by volume of concrete. The effect of crimped profile of polypropylene fibres on the improvement in failure properties of concrete in compression and flexural tension were evaluated. Test results showed that polypropylene fibres showed higher fracture energy absorption and exhibited a marginal improvement in strength index and sudden failure is prevented resulting in multiple splitting cracks. The ultrasonic pulse velocity test results were also found to be consistent and exhibited a good integrity for all CPFRC concrete specimens. A maximum compressive strength was noted at an optimum dosage of 3.0% of CPFRC specimens with a strength value of 24.67 and 34.92 MPa at 7 and 28 days respectively.

Keywords:

Crimped polypropylene, fracture, superplasticizer, ultrasonic pulse velocity,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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Copyright

The authors have no competing interests.