High performance polymer concrete

Abstract

This chapter investigates the effect of high performance polymer (HPP) fibers in improving the compressive strength, tensile strength, and shear capacity of concrete. Ordinary Portland cement, HPP fibers, crushed gravel with maximum size of 6mm coarse aggregate, beach sand, and tap water were mixed to make the concrete. The aggregates, sand, and cement were added with water and mixed for three minutes. The polypropylene fibers were then evenly sprinkled over the surface, and mixing resumed for three minutes. Finally, superplaticizers were poured to the mix without premixed with other admixtures. The results showed that the flexural strength for fibrous concrete that contained 0.8 per cent of HPP fibers was slightly lower than that plain concrete. The flexural strength increased to a maximum value of 30% for beam that contained 1.2 per cent of HPP fibers. The failure pattern of the samples highlighted the benefit of inclusion of fibers. The plain sample failed with a sudden brittle where as the fibrous samples failed in more ductile manner.