Influence of Polypropylene Fibres on Concrete Properties

Abstract

This paper deals with the influence of addition of various proportions of polypropylene fibres on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete. The objective of this study is to find optimum percentage of Polypropylene fibre content between 0.1% and 0.5% by volume of concrete. An experimental program was carried out to explore its effects on fresh and hardened concrete properties. The slump test was conducted for fresh properties of concrete, also concrete specimens were tested at different age level for mechanical properties of concrete, namely, compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity. The results showed that the workability of concrete decreased with the addition of polypropylene fibres. Results also showed a reduction in modulus of elasticity after 28 day when compared to the reference concrete i.e. without fibre. An increase in flexural strength at 0.5% percentage of polypropylene fibre reinforced concrete was observed when compared to the reference concrete. Also a marked increase in splitting tensile strength was observed for all fibre percentages at 28 day.