Experimental study of Hybrid fibre reinforced concrete composites

Abstract

An experimental study has been conducted on the structural performance of concrete reinforced with different types of fibres such as metallic synthetic and natural fibres. 30 cube specimens with 150mm width and 30 cylindrical specimens with 150 mm diameter and 300 mm height were cast and tested for compressive and split tensile strengths for each mix. Four groups of fibres were used for the study they are micro steel fibres, polypropylene fibres, Jute fibres and sisal fibres. Five sets of fibre reinforced concrete specimens were prepared. The first group included 0.5 and 1% by volume of micro steel fibre; the second group included 0.5 and 1 % by volume of polypropylene fibre; the third group included 0.5 and 1 % of sisal fibre ;fourth group included 0.5 and 1% jute fibre the fifth group included 1% (0.2% sisal + 0.2% PP +0.6% MS), 1% (0.5% MS + 0.5% PP), 1% (0.5% MS + 0.5% sisal),1%(0.5% MS+0.5% jute),1%(0.4 MS +0.3 PP+0.3 Jute) and 1%(0.3 PP +0.3% Jute +0.4% sisal) . Plain concrete specimens without fibre were also prepared. From the experimental results, it is concluded that the concrete reinforced with 1% volume fraction of fibres showed higher improvements in the compressive and split tensile strengths of the concrete. Addition of microsteel and polypropylene fibre shows increase in split tensile and compressive strength and a decrease in compressive strength while adding sisal fibre and jute at a higher percentage respectively, compared to the plain concrete.