• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.165-173
• /
• 2022

The effect of basalt and polypropylene fibers on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is investigated in this paper. The compressive and tensile behaviors of the basalt concrete and polypropylene concrete cylinders are also investigated. Eight beams and 28 cylinders were made with different percentages of basalt and polypropylene fibers. The dosages of fiber were selected as 0.6%, 1.3%, and 2.5% of the total cement weight. Each type of fiber was mixed solely with the concrete mix. Basalt and polypropylene fibers are modern and cheap materials that can be used to improve the structural behavior of RC members. This research is designed to find the optimum percentage of basalt and polypropylene fibers for enhancing the flexural behavior of RC beams. Test results showed that the addition of basalt and polypropylene fibers in any dosage (0.6%, 1.3%, and 2.5%) can increase the flexural strength and displacement ductility index of the beams where the maximum enhancement was measured with 1.3% fibers. The maximum increments in the flexural strength and the displacement ductility index were 30.39% and 260% for the basalt fiber case, while the maximum improvement for the polypropylene fibers case was 55.5% and 230% compared to the control specimen. Finite element (FE) models were then developed in ABAQUS to predict the numerical behaviour of the tested beams. The FE models were able to predict the experimental behaviour with reasonable accuracy. This research confirms the efficiency of basalt and polypropylene fibers in enhancing the flexural behavior of RC beams, and it also suggests the optimum dosage of fibers.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.319-332
• /
• 2020

The impacts of reinforcing concrete matrix with steel fibers, polypropylene fibers and recycled plastic fibers using different volume fractions of 0.15%, 0.5%, 1.5% and 2.5% on the compressive and tensile characteristics are experimentally investigated in the current research. Also, flexural behavior of plain concrete (PC) beams, shear performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams and compressive characteristics of both PC and RC columns reinforced with recycled plastic fibers were studied. The experimental results showed that the steel fibers improved the splitting tensile strength of concrete higher than both the polypropylene fibers and recycled plastic fibers. The end-hooked steel fibers had a positive effect on the compressive strength of concrete while, the polypropylene fibers, the recycled plastic fibers and the rounded steel fibers had a negative impact. Compressive strength of end-hooked steel fiber specimen with volume fraction of 2.5% exhibited the highest value among all tested samples of 32.48 MPa, 21.83% higher than the control specimen. The ultimate load, stiffness, ductility and failure patterns of PC and RC beams in addition to PC and RC columns strengthened with recycled plastic fibers enhanced remarkably compared to non-strengthened elements. The maximum ultimate load and stiffness of RC column reinforced with recycled plastic fibers with 1.5% volume fraction improved by 21 and 15%, respectively compared to non-reinforced RC column.

• Advances in materials Research
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.211-224
• /
• 2022

The shrinkage and the mechanical properties of polypropylene hybrid fiber reinforced mortar PHFRM were investigated in this study. Mortars were prepared with limestone crushing sand, Portland cement and polypropylene hybrid fibers PHF. Two types of virgin fibers, having the same length (30 mm) were used for reinforcing test mortars, fibers in diameter of 0.45 mm, used by PLAST BROS factory of Bordj Bou Arreridj (Algeria) for the fabrication of brooms (for household cleaning) and fibers in diameter of 0.25 mm, available on the market, having multiple applications. In this investigation, it was aimed to study the total and autogenous shrinkage, the flexural and compressive strength of mortars based on hybrid fibers. As a result, PHF have negatively affected the mortar workability. However, shrinkage risk was reduced and coarser fibers (PF45) were most effective for reducing shrinkage risk. The mechanical performances and the ductility of PHFRM were also enhanced.

• Fibers and Polymers
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.210-214
• /
• 2003

Siloxylated polypropylene fibers composed of polypropylene (PP) and aluminosiloxane (AS) were prepared by melt blending followed by spinning. The effects of blend compositions on the thermal behaviors, surface and tensile properties of PP/AS blend fibers were investigated by DSC, WAXD, SEM, static honestometer, etc. The heat of fusion of PP/AS blends decreased with increasing AS contents. In addition, the peak intensity of PP/AS blends in X-ray diffraction patterns decreased with increasing AS contents. It was observed that the silicone molecules exist and well distribute on the surface of siloxylated polypropylene fibers. From the results of the half-life period measurements, the anti-static properties of PP fibers siloxylated with AS was found to be significantly modified.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.46-52
• /
• 2009

Dyeing properties of hydrophobic polypropylene fibers using cationic dyes were investigated to improve dyeability by electron beam irradiation and sulfonic acid incorporation. The color strength of irradiated polypropylene fibers was examined according to the dyeing conditions including pH of dyebath, absorbed doses, and introduction of functional group to fiber substrate. The best dyeing result was obtained when sulfonic acid group incorporated polypropylene fibers after electron beam irradiation were dyed with cationic dyes at alkaline conditions and 30$\sim$75kGy irradiation ranges.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.106-112
• /
• 2012

As a subsequent research of the previously reported$^{9)}$, a series of diaminoanthraquinoid blue dyes having hexyl, heptyl and octyl substituents were newly synthesized in order to investigate dyeability toward polypropylene fibers. As the length of alkyl groups introduced to the chromophore increased, the dyeability of the dyes toward polypropylene fibers also increased and then gradually decreased. From the result of dyeing, the hexyl-substituted dye showed the highest color strength and deep shade on pure polypropylene fibers. The good fastness rates to wash, rubbing and light were also obtained for all of the synthesized dyes.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.315-325
• /
• 2017

The purpose of the paper is to determine the influence of two widely used steel fibers and polypropylene fibers on the sulphate crystallization resistance, freeze-thaw resistance and surface wettability of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). Tests were carried out on cubes and cylinders of plain UHPC and fiber reinforced UHPC with varying contents ranging from 0.25 to 1% steel fibers and/or polypropylene fibers. Extensive data from the salt resistance test, frost resistance test, dynamic modulus of elasticity test before and after freezing-thawing, as well as the contact angle test were recorded and analyzed. Fiber hybridization relatively increased the resistance to salt crystallization and freeze-thaw resistance of UHPC in comparison with a single type of fiber in UHPC at the same fiber volume fraction. The experimental results indicate that hybrid fibers can significantly improve the adhesion properties and reduce the wettability of the UHPC surface.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.520-525
• /
• 2016

In this study, a mixture of polypropylene fibers and glass fibers were used to weave polypropylene/glass fiber-reinforced composite panels with characteristics such as highly elongated short fibers, high ductility, anti-fouling, and hydrophobicity as a result of a directional property. Mechanical and environmental tests were carried out with specimens fabricated with this composite panel, and its applicability to shipbuilding and ocean leisure industries was evaluated through a comparison with existing glass fiber-reinforced composite materials. The results of this experiment verified the excellence of the polypropylene/glass-mixed woven fiber-reinforced composite material compared to the existing glass fiber-reinforced composite material. However, the forming process needs to be changed to improve the weak interfacial bonding, and the properties of the composite material itself could be improved through mixed weaving with other fibers after development. Maximizing of the advantages of the polypropylene fibers and overcoming their shortcomings will improve their applicability to the shipbuilding, ocean leisure, and other industries, and increase the value of polypropylene fibers in the composite material market.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.165-172
• /
• 2014

Novel super hydrophobic orange dyes having maximum absorption band at 450-500nm were synthesized to dye polyolefin fibers such as polypropylene and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, using 4-alkylanilines and ${\beta}$-naphthol. Their absorption spectra at visible range showed almost the same, which meant that the alkyl substituents introduced to chromophore did not affect on color appearance of the dyes. Considering both color strength and wash fastness, the decyl-substituted dye was determined as the optimum one practically. From the dyeing results at various conditions, the optimum dyeing was $130^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour with 5% owf of dyes. The good fastness ratings to washing, rubbing were obtained showing 4-5 for both fibers. Light fastness was also acceptable giving rating 3-4 for polypropylene fibers and rating 3 for ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.165-171
• /
• 2013

A new monoazo violet dye optimized for polyolefin fibers such as polypropylene and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers was synthesized and its dyeability was investigated. Two hexyl groups were introduced to coupler, 2,5-dimethoxyaniline, in order to increase hydrophobicity of the dye. The maximum absorption wavelength was appeared at 580nm, which meant that the dye showed violet color. From the dyeing results at various conditions, the optimum dyeing was determined as $130^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour with 5% owf of dyes. The good fastness ratings to washing, rubbing were obtained showing at least 4 for both fibers. Light fastness was acceptable for polypropylene fibers giving ratings 3~4. However, relatively poor light fastness was obtained in case of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers showing ratings 2.