STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF ME-PET FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of manufacture embossed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers in enhancing strength, deformation and durability of C25 concrete. This was achieved by both (i) adding to the concrete mix these above said recycled polyethylene fibers and (ii) maintaining the C25 plain concrete without the fibers for control purposes. Fresh properties of concre was prepared with the addition of various percentages of the PET fiber at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2% of the concrete by volumetric fractions. Compressive strength tests were performed on forty-two (42) 150mm concrete cubes and splitting tensile strength tests were performed on twelve (12) (150*300) mm cylinder with the addition of various percentages of the PET fiber at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2% of the concrete by volumetric fractions. Flexural strength tests were also performed on fifteen (15) 150mm×150mm×600mm concrete beams with the addition of PET fibers at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% of concrete by volume. The other parameter considered was deflection behavior the concrete beams with the mentioned amounts of fiber addition. To study the durability properties, 90 days’ compressive strength test, water absorption test, and effect of elevated temperature on residual compressive strength test were conducted on C25 concrete. The test results showed a significant increase in compressive and splitting tensile strength up to 21% and 27% at 1.0% of PET fiber respectively. Flexural strength of the concrete beams on the other hand increased by 17.5% for 1.0% fiber concrete compared to the control. The results of deflection performance of concrete beam with PET fibers also produced larger deflections at near maximum load.