Studying the mechanical properties of rigid pavement reinforced with single and hybrid fibers

Abstract

High strength concrete (HSC) is the most widely used material and is presented in many different constructions such as rigid pavement. Concrete has a low tensile strength, limited fatigue life, and is characterized by brittle failure resulting in almost complete loss of loading capacity. HSC reinforced with fibers has displayed great performance in both fresh and hardened states. Recently, the use of single fiber has increased in the rigid pavement and the study of its effect on the properties of concrete. It was found that there is a need to study and compare the effect of adding hybrid fiber to concrete mixture to improve the behavior and properties of concrete. This study investigates the optimization of HSC reinforced with steel fiber by different percentages (0% to 1%), polypropylene fiber (0.0% to 0.26%) and the hybridization of steel fiber and polypropylene fiber as 1% volumetric fractions (0.8% + 0.2%), (0.7% + 0.3%) and (0.6% + 0.4%), respectively. The slump value, compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength are determined. Abrasion resistance and water absorption are also measured. The fiber percentage is adjusted to alter the brittle failure. The results showed that adding fibers to the concrete mixture decrease both slump and abrasion, while increasing permeability, tensile and compressive strength.