The Influence of Fiber on the Mechanical Properties of Controllable Low-Strength Materials

Abstract

Numerous studies have been conducted on fiber-reinforced concrete; however, comparative investigations specifically focusing on the utilization of fibers in CLSM remain limited. In this study, we conducted a systematic investigation into the mechanical properties of controlled low-strength material (CLSM) by manipulating the length and doping amount of fibers as control variables. The 7-day compressive strength (7d-UCS), 28-day compressive strength (28d-UCS), and 28-day splitting strength of CLSM were employed as indicators to evaluate the material’s performance. Based on our comprehensive analysis, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) A positive correlation was observed between fiber length and material strength within the range of 0–6 mm, while conversely, a negative correlation was evident. Similarly, when the fiber doping was within the range of 0–0.3%, a positive correlation was identified between material strength and fiber doping. However, the strength of CLSM decreased when fiber doping exceeded 0.3%. (2) SEM and PCAS analyses provided further confirmation that the incorporation of fibers effectively reduced the porosity of the material by filling internal pores and interacting with hydration products, thereby forming a mesh structure. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the manipulation of fiber length and doping amount to optimize the mechanical properties of CLSM. The findings have important implications for the practical application of CLSM, particularly in terms of enhancing its strength through fiber incorporation.