A comprehensive study of the polypropylene fibers reinforced conventional concrete

Abstract

The aim of this study was to study of the properties and characterization of conventional concrete and reinforced concrete with polypropylene fiber. Themes were theoretically addressed: concrete, composites, fibers, polypropylene fibers. In addition, practical tests were carried out, with test specimens of these two materials, of compressive strength, water absorption and heat resistance, to verify the differences in the properties of these two materials. The tests were completed and it can be noted that the application of the polypropylene fiber in the concrete as reinforcement for the concrete is satisfactory, because the water absorption test obtained similar results for the two materials, and performing the test of resistance to compression, it was observed that the test specimens with fiber, obtained better results than the conventional concrete. Finally, the heat resistance test showed that the fiber actually degrades in the temperature range informed by the supplier, being another advantage for its application in tunnels, in front of the fires.

Keywords

• Composite
• concrete
• polypropylene fiber
• compressive strength
• water absorption
• heat resistance