Effect of forta-ferro fibers on fresh and mechanical properties of ultra high performance self compacting concrete

Abstract

This research presents an experimental study of the effect of polypropylene fiber on Ultra High Performance Self Compacting Concrete (UHPSCC). Local available materials and inclusion of polypropylene fiber with different quantities are investigated to produce UHPSCC. The experimental program comprises investigating four different quantities of polypropylene fiber namely; 4.55, 9.1, 13.65 and 18.2 kg/m3. The current study focuses on the influence of polypropylene fiber on both fresh and hardened properties such as flowability, filling ability, passing ability, compressive strength, splitting strength and flexural strength of UHPSCC. The results revealed that addition of polypropylene fibers improves the compressive strength of UHPSCC in the range of 1% to 7% compared with the non-fibrous UHPSCC. They also enhance the tensile strength in the range of 20% to 30%, and improve the flexural strength within the range of 16% to 26%. Moreover, it is concluded that the optimum polypropylene fiber is 13.65 kg/m3 of concrete with splitting tensile strength of 8MPa and flexural strength of 10MPa.