Mechanical properties and impact resistance of roller-compacted concrete containing polypropylene fibre

Abstract

In this study, the effect of polypropylene fibre content on mechanical properties and impact resistance of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) was investigated. The polypropylene fibre was used as 0%, 0·25%, 0·50% and 0·75% per 1 m3 of concrete; thus, four different mixtures of RCC were prepared. The water content of those mixtures was determined using the maximum density method (soil compaction method). Optimum water content values for the maximum dry density of each RCC mixture were calculated with this approach. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity and impact resistance of RCC mixtures were determined at different ages. As a result of the experimental study, it was observed that the use of polypropylene fibre in RCC mixtures increases the water requirement and water/cement ratio. The mechanical properties of RCC mixtures containing polypropylene fibre decreased by 20% compared to the control mixture without polypropylene fibre. This phenomenon can be attributed to an increase in the water/cement ratio of the RCC mixture when using polypropylene fibre.