Durability and physical properties of glass fiber reinforced concrete subjected to elevated temperatures

Abstract

Addition of glass fibers into concrete significantly modifies its tensile strength. The fibers are placed at desired locations and orientations by the matrix surrounding it, thereby making the fibers as principal load carrying members and also protecting them from environmental damage. Glass fibers provide resistance to high temperature, and the ease of incorporating them into the matrix either in continuous or discontinuous lengths. In this work, carbonation test representing the durability of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) was carried out, and then experimental program determines the properties like compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength of GFRC for 7 days and 28 days of curing, with percentage of fibers in ratios 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and performance of GFRC at elevated temperatures of 300°c, 500°c, 700°c, 1000°c are compared with conventional concrete. The results depict that, the residual compressive strength capacity of GFRC is greater than unreinforced concrete both at elevated and normal temperatures.