Influence of polypropylene fibers on energy absorption and mechanical performance of 34.3 MPa concrete
Keywords:
fiber-reinforced concrete; polypropylene; energy absorption; toughness; residual strengthAbstract
Plain concrete exhibits a brittle post-cracking response, which limits its energy-dissipation capacity. This study assessed the effect of macro polypropylene fibers on concrete with a design compressive strength f'c = 34.3 MPa. Four mixtures containing 0, 1.8, 4.55, and 10 kg/m³ of fiber were produced. Slump, density, and air content were measured in the fresh state; compressive strength was tested at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days (n = 2 per dosage and age); modulus of rupture was determined at 28 days (n = 2); and energy absorption up to 25 mm deflection was assessed using UNE-EN 14488-5 panels (n = 1 per dosage). Slump decreased from 23 to 18 cm as fiber content increased, whereas density and air content remained nearly constant. E₂₅ energy rose from 291.41 J for the control to approximately 900, 1,900, and 3,600 J, corresponding to 3.1, 6.5, and 12.4 times the reference value. At 28 days, compressive strength was 35.62, 37.42, 37.42, and 34.35 MPa, while modulus of rupture reached 4.54, 5.09, 5.35, and 6.41 MPa, respectively. The fibers mainly altered post-cracking behavior and increased flexural strength; however, high dosages reduced workability and increased cost. Intermediate dosages provided the most favorable balance among mechanical performance, energy absorption, and production feasibility.
Downloads
References
Abousnina, R., Premasiri, S., Anise, V., Lokuge, W., Vimonsatit, V., Ferdous, W. & AlAjarmeh, O. (2021). Mechanical properties of macro polypropylene fibre-reinforced concrete. Polymers, 13(23), 4112. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13234112
ACI Committee 544. (2018). ACI 544.4R-18: Guide to design with fiber-reinforced concrete. American Concrete Institute.
ASTM International (2017). ASTM C138/C138M-17a: Standard test method for density (unit weight), yield, and air content (gravimetric) of concrete. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0138_C0138M-17A
ASTM International (2020). ASTM C143/C143M-20: Standard test method for slump of hydraulic-cement concrete. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0143_C0143M-20
ASTM International (2022). ASTM C78/C78M-22: Standard test method for flexural strength of concrete (using simple beam with third-point loading). https://doi.org/10.1520/C0078_C0078M-22
ASTM International (2024a). ASTM C39/C39M-24: Standard test method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0039_C0039M-24
Bentur, A. & Mindess, S. (2007). Fibre reinforced cementitious composites (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
Del Savio, A. A., La Torre Esquivel, D. & García Landeo, J. M. (2023). Post-cracking properties of concrete reinforced with polypropylene fibers through the Barcelona test. Polymers, 15(18), 3718. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15183718
European Committee for Standardization (2006). EN 14488-5: Testing sprayed concrete—Part 5: Determination of energy absorption capacity of fibre reinforced slab specimens.
Hosseinzadeh, H., Salehi, A. M., Mehraein, M. & Asadollahfardi, G. (2023). The effects of steel, polypropylene, and high-performance macro polypropylene fibers on mechanical properties and durability of high-strength concrete.
Construction and Building Materials, 386, 131589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131589
Najaf, E. & Abbasi, H. (2023). Impact resistance and mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced concrete using string and fibrillated polypropylene fibers in a hybrid form. Structural Concrete, 24(1), 1282–1295. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.202200019
Shi, F., Pham, T. M., Hao, H., & Hao, Y. (2020). Post-cracking behaviour of basalt and macro polypropylene hybrid fibre reinforced concrete with different compressive strengths. Construction and Building Materials, 262, 120108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120108
Smarzewski, P. & Jancy, A. (2025). Comparative study on mechanical performance and toughness of high-performance self-compacting concrete with polypropylene and basalt fibres. Materials, 18(16), 3833. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18163833
Wei, Y., Qin, Y., Chai, J., Xu, C., Zhang, Y. & Zhang, X. (2022). Experimental study on compressive and flexural performances of polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete. Geofluids, 4168918. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4168918
.png)
.png)
