Significance of natural fibers in enhancing the mechanical and durability properties of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete

Abstract

Concrete is the most widely used construction material. The strength of newlinethe concrete is high when taken care of compression force rather than the newlinetension force. In order to increase the tension force capability of concrete, a newlinelot of research work is going on in the construction industry. One among newlinethem, the addition of fibers, that too, the fibers are added in the form of mono newlineand hybrid. Mono form denotes, the individual fibers are added in the newlineconcrete to enhance tension force carrying capacity of concrete. But based on newlinethe fiber nature and its modulus of elasticity, aspect ratio, fiber volume the newlineresponse to the force will differ for each other. To get the mixed performance, newlinethe hybridization of fibers in concrete has been developed. This research work newlinemainly aimed to enhance the ductility of concrete by the addition of hybrid newlinefiber, i.e. using of two or more different fibers as secondary reinforcement in newlineconcrete. The incorporation of the hybrid fibers, effectively improves the newlinemechanical, structural properties and resistance against crack formation at the newlinemicro level as well as the macro level thereby increasing the performance of newlinethe concrete. The overall aim of this research is to develop the Hybrid Fiber newlineReinforced Concrete having improved strength characteristics, improved newlinestructural behavior and performance by the optimum dosage level of hybrid newlinefibers. newlineThis research work concentrates on using of Polypropylene (PP) fiber newlinewhich is classified under synthetic fiber, helps to reducing the plastic newlineshrinkage and the formation of cracks. Another fibers of sisal and banana newlinefibers also was used along with PP fibers, which are classified under natural newlinefibers. Sisal and banana fibers offers the resistance against the applied load newlineduring post cracking. Sisal and banana fibers are available naturally, cost newlineeffective and help in improving the flexural strength of the concrete newline