Investigation for optimal hybrid concrete blended with polypropylene and steel fiber to evaluate structural performance

Abstract

In recent times, there has been a significant surge in interest regarding the usage of different materials to strengthen concrete. The capacity to enhance the tensile strength of concrete has made Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Concrete (HFRC) a subject of considerable interest. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of polypropylene and steel fibers on the strength of concrete. The variable parameters encompass varying proportions of steel and polypropylene fibers. A thorough experimental program, encompassing a total of 36 combinations, was executed with diverse HFRC mixtures. Based on past research, it is projected that fibers would perform better. One combination served as the control, while the other 35 combinations incorporated PPF in varying proportions (ranging from 0.2% to 1% of the cement’s mass) with an increment of 0.2%, along with steel fibers (ranging from 0.25% to 3% of the cement’s mass). Following this, split tensile strength tests (performed according to ASTM C 496) were carried out. Tensile testing was performed on specimens to observe the failure mode and tensile strength of the samples. The report ends by highlighting the research findings and outlining potential directions for additional study in this area. In conclusion, this study’s findings offer convincing evidence about the use of fibers in concrete.