Comprehensive study on performance of glass fibers-based concrete

Abstract

Concrete is a typical brittle material; it has poor ductility, low tensile strength, and prone to micro-cracks. To overcome this behavior, alkali-resistant glass fibers (AGF) are added to concrete in present study, and this is the principal route for usage of glass fibers in structural concrete from laboratory investigation to industrial usage. Here, alkali-resistant glass fibers are used as an additive to concrete with 1–3% of cement weight. Moreover, detailed investigations were conducted on workability (slump cone test), mechanical strength (split tensile, compressive, and flexural strength tests), durability studies [Rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) and Accelerated corrosion test (ACT)] and microstructure analysis [Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (EDS)]. Glass fibers additive mixes have shown a negative effect on fresh properties and positive impact on durability and mechanical properties with increased addition of it. Meanwhile, the microstructure analysis reported that bonding between cementitious matrix and glass fiber is adequate up to 2%. The addition of glass fibers enriched dense surface formation of concrete.