Suitability of Synthetic Fiber for the Construction of Concrete Pavements

摘要

A pavement concrete undergoes dynamic loading and rigorous environmental conditions. Development of shrinkage eracks in plain cement concrete pavements is a major problem especially in tropical regions. To overcome this problem sometime the addition of synthetic fiber to the concrete mix is suggested. This paper briefly discusses the effects of the addition of polypropylene (PP) multifilament and fibrillated fibre on the properties of a paving grade concrete mix of compressive strength 48 MPa and flexural strength 5.4 MPa at 28-day. Concrete mixes containing different dosage of multifilament and fibrillated fiber besides one control mix were used. The important properties of the concrete relevant to its use in pavement such as fiexural strength, drying shrinkage, and abrasion resistance etc. were evaluated. The study suggested a significant reduction in drying shrinkage, better resistance to abrasion, and strengths at least at par with controlled concrete for the concrete mixes reinforced with fibre. Further, the comparison of the affects of polypropylene multifilament and fibrillated fibres has indicated similar performance for concrete reinforced with fibrillated fibre.