Effect of hybrid fiber on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of inclusion of polyolefin and polypropylene fibers at various volume fractions in single and hybrid forms on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) mix that consists of treated coarse recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). Testing parameters, such as compressive strength, flexural strength, static modulus of elasticity, and impact load resistance, are utilized to evaluate the mechanical strength of specimens. The various properties of the modified RAC are also analyzed and compared with those of normal concrete and unmodified RAC specimens. Findings indicate that the mechanical strength properties of RAC mixture using treated RCA were significantly enhanced by adding fibers. The overall optimized mechanical strength results could be obtained in RAC mixtures with fiber in hybrid form, where their compressive strength at long-term curing age, can be significantly improved by 7% upto 11% higher than normal concrete. In addition, RAC mix with hybrid fibers produced the highest flexural strength and impact load resistance by an increase of 5% and 175%, respectively as compared with the control concrete.