Flexural Behavior of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beams

Abstract

This paper portrays an experimental research conducted to determine the strength and flexural behavior of the polypropylene fiber reinforced beams. Polypropylene fibers were being added in concrete with different dosages viz., 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6% to the total volume of concrete and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Portland Slag Cements (PSC) were added in the ratio of 60:40 with the overall cement content. Cubes were cast for compressive strength test and cylinder were cast for tensile strength test and beams were cast for flexural strength test. Seven beams were tested; one normal beam without polypropylene fiber and six beams with polypropylene fiber were cast and flexural strength test was conducted. Polypropylene fiber and slag cements were used in mass concrete structures to reduce heat of hydration and shrinkage cracks. Flexural strength and the cracking pattern were monitored during the test. The results indicated that the addition of polypropylene fibers and slag cements in concrete significantly increased the compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength and load carrying capacity of beams with different cracking patterns