An Experimental Investigation on the Properties and Effects of Polypropylene Fibre Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

The paper deals with the effects of addition of various proportions of polypropylene fibres on the properties of concrete. An experimental program was carried out to explore its effects on compressive, tensile, flexural strength under different curing condition. The main aim of the investigation program is to study the effect of Polypropylene fiber mix by varying content such as 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75, 2%, and 2.5% and finding the optimum Polypropylene fibre content. The concrete specimens were tested at different age level for mechanical properties of concrete, namely, cube compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength. A detailed study was carried out for curing conditions. Half of the concrete specimens were left exposed to the surrounding to cure by themselves and the remaining half were cured in a curing tank. Initially the concrete specimen's shows appreciable strength for irregular curing but as the days advances the curing specimens gave satisfactory strength. A notable increase in the compressive, tensile and flexural strength was observed. However, further investigations were highly recommended and should be carried out to understand more mechanical properties of fibre reinforced concrete. The interest in the use of fibres for the reinforcement of composites has increased during the last several years. A combination of high strength, stiffness and thermal resistance favourably characterizes the fibres. In this study, the results of the Strength properties of Polypropylene fibre reinforced concrete have been presented. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength of concrete samples made with different fibres amounts varies from 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75, 2%, and 2.5% were studied. The samples with added Polypropylene fibres of 1.5 % showed better results in comparison with the others.