Comparative Study on the Flexural Behavior of Conventional Concrete with Steel and Polypropylene Fibers

Abstract

Cement concrete is the most widely used construction material in all civil engineering applications due to its well-established advantages such as availability, durability, and cost-effectiveness. However, one of its primary limitations is its low tensile strength, which raises concerns in structural applications. To address this issue, extensive research has been conducted, and findings consistently highlight that fiber reinforcement is one of the most effective and versatile methods to enhance post-cracking tensile strength and energy absorption capacity during fracture. A wide variety of fibers have been incorporated into concrete matrices, including natural, metallic, and polymer-based fibers. Common natural fibers include palm, straw, and coir, while metallic fibers are typically composed of steel or stainless steel. Polymer fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, and aramid are also commonly used. These fibers may vary in length (short or long), geometry (straight or hooked-end), and configuration (single or hybrid).In the present investigation, a combination of steel and polypropylene fibers was utilized in varying volume fractions to assess their impact on the mechanical and workability properties of fiber-reinforced concrete.

Keyword: Fibre reinforced concrete, steel fibres, polypropylene fibres, concrete mix designs etc.