Performance evaluation of a polypropylene-based draw-wired fibre for concrete structures

A polypropylene-based draw-wired fibre suitable for fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) is studied and its effect on flexural behaviour, toughness and shrinkage cracking is shown. In order to assess the performance offered by such a fibre over commercially available synthetic and metallic ones, comparative tests are carried out with respect to standard four-point bending and constrained shrinkage behaviour. The experimental evidence shows that FRC reinforced with these fibres possesses interesting structural features; in particular, fibres significantly improve crack resistance while enhancing toughness and durability of FRC elements. Equally important, such behaviour is gained without significantly affecting the workability of the mixture.