• Computers and Concrete
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.165-173
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• 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.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제43권5호
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• pp.623-636
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• 2012

The aim of the current work is to describe the flexural behaviour of simply supported concrete beams with tension reinforcement spliced at mid-span. The parameters included in the study were the type of the concrete, the splice length and the configuration of the hooked splice. Fifteen beams were cast using an ordinary concrete mix and two fiber reinforced concrete mixes incorporating steel and polypropylene fibers. Each concrete mix was used to cast five beams with continuous, spliced and hooked spliced tension steel bars. A test beam was reinforced on the tension side with two 12 mm bars and the splice length was 20 and 40 times the bar diameter. The hooked bars were spliced along 20 times the bar diameter and provided with 45-degree and 90-degree hooks. The test results in terms of cracking and ultimate loads, cracking patterns, ductility, and failure modes are reported. The results demonstrated the consequences due to short splices and the improvement in the structural behaviour due to the use of hooks and the confinement provided by the steel and polypropylene fibers.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제60권2호
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• pp.211-223
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• 2016

Static loading and fluid impact tests on plates containing mesh reinforcement and polypropylene fibers in ratios of 0 to 3% by volume were performed. The objective was to observe the effect of fluid mass on the total impulse that caused the impact event and the influence of fiber amount on the impact resistance, and to estimate the velocity of fluid that causes scabbing, perforation or total disintegration. The study is the first to express the fluid impact resistance of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete plates.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.315-325
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• 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.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제60권2호
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• pp.225-235
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• 2016

Fluid impact tests on plates containing mesh reinforcement and polypropylene fibers were modeled and simulated using explicit finite element analysis software, LS-DYNA. The scabbing dimensions obtained by the experiments and the simulations were compared and crack formations were matched. The objective was to test the accuracy and fidelity of the model and to confirm that damage caused by fluid impact on the plates can be estimated with a reasonable accuracy over a wide range of impact velocity.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.495-511
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• 2023

In this research, the impact of micro-silica, nano-silica, and polypropylene fibers on the fracture energy of self-compacting concrete was thoroughly examined. Enhancing the fracture energy is very important to increase the crack propagation resistance. The study focused on evaluating the self-compacting properties of the concrete through various tests, including J-ring, V-funnel, slump flow, and T50 tests. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the concrete, such as compressive and tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, and fracture parameters were investigated on hardened specimens after 28 days. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of micro-silica and nano-silica not only decreased the rheological aspects of self-compacting concrete but also significantly enhanced its mechanical properties, particularly the compressive strength. On the other hand, the inclusion of polypropylene fibers had a positive impact on fracture parameters, tensile strength, and flexural strength of the specimens. Utilizing the response surface method, the relationship between micro-silica, nano-silica, and fibers was established. The optimal combination for achieving the highest compressive strength was found to be 5% micro-silica, 0.75% nano-silica, and 0.1% fibers. Furthermore, for obtaining the best mixture with superior tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and fracture energy, the ideal proportion was determined as 5% micro-silica, 0.75% nano-silica, and 0.15% fibers. Compared to the control mixture, the aforementioned parameters showed significant improvements of 26.3%, 30.3%, 34.3%, and 34.3%, respectively. In order to accurately model the tensile cracking of concrete, the authors used softening curves derived from an inverse algorithm proposed by them. This method allowed for a precise and detailed analysis of the concrete under tensile stress. This study explores the effects of micro-silica, nano-silica, and polypropylene fibers on self-compacting concrete and shows their influences on the fracture energy and various mechanical properties of the concrete. The results offer valuable insights for optimizing the concrete mix to achieve desired strength and performance characteristics.

• 콘크리트학회논문집
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.747-754
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• 2008

본 연구에서는 강섬유 혹은 폴리프로필렌 섬유로 하이브리드 보강되고, 수직하중과 수평하중을 받는 고강도 콘크리트 내민받침을 제작하고 실험하였다. 실험 결과, 강섬유, 폴리프로필렌 섬유를 혼입함에 따라 내하력, 강성, 연성, 균열폭, 균열 수 측면에서 고강도콘크리트 내민받침의 성능은 향상되었다. 폴리프로필렌 섬유로 보강된 고강도콘크리트 내민받침은 강섬유로 보강된 내민받침보다 다소 낮은 내하력을 보였지만, 수평하중 하에서 더 큰 연성을 보였다. 또한, 주인장 타이 철근으로 사용된 헤디드 바의 헤드는 뛰어난 정착을 보여주었다. 실험 결과를 설계기준의 규준식 및 여러 연구자들이 제안한 예측모델과 비교한 결과, 정밀 스트럿-타이 모델이 수평하중 하에서 가장 정확하고 보수적인 예측 결과를 보여주었고, Fattuhi가 제안한 트러스 모델은 섬유 보강 고강도콘크리트 내민받침의 강도를 잘 예측하는 것으로 나타났다.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제62권3호
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• pp.373-380
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• 2017

Concrete structures are often subjected to long-term static and short-term dynamic loads. Due to a relatively low tensile strength and energy dissipating characteristics, the impact resistance of concrete is considered poor. This study investigates the feasibility of using polypropylene fibers to improve the impact resistance of reinforced concrete slabs. Fourteen polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete slabs were fabricated and tested using a drop weight test. The effects of slab thickness, fiber volume fractions, and impact energy on the dynamic behaviors were evaluated mainly in terms of impact resistant, crack patterns, and failure modes. The post impact induced strains versus time responses were obtained for all slabs. The results showed that adding the polypropylene fiber at a dosage of 0.90% by volume of concrete leads to significant improvement in the overall structural behavior of the slabs and their resistance to impact loading. Interestingly, the enhancement in the behavior of the slabs using a higher fiber dosage of 1.2% was not as good as achieved with 0.90%.

• Composites Research
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.48-53
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• 2013

This paper summarizes the structural characterization of borassus fruit fibers by means of various characterization techniques, optimization of alkali treatment of borassus fruit fine fibers (BFF) with a 5% concentration sodium hydroxide solution for different time intervals (1, 4, 8 and 12 h) and the changes occurring in borassus fibers. This paper also discusses the manufacturing of BFF/PP compotes using MAPP as a compatibilizer in addition to alkali treatment. Composites were evaluated for their mechanical and morphological properties. The tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus and impact strength were increased for alkali treated/MAPP composites by 4.5%, 17%, 17.2 %, 9% and 10% respectively.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.209-220
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• 2018

In order to evaluate the effect of hybrid fibers on the flexural performance of tunnel segment at room temperature, twelve reinforced self-consolidating concrete (SCC) symmetric inclination beams containing steel fiber, macro polypropylene fiber, micro polypropylene fiber, and their hybridizations were studied under combined loading of flexure and axial compression. The results indicate that the addition of mono steel fiber and hybrid fibers can enhance the ultimate bearing capacity and cracking behavior of tested beams. These improvements can be further enhanced along with increasing the content of steel fiber and macro PP fiber, but reduced with the increase of the reinforcement ratio of beams. The hybrid effect of steel fiber and macro PP fiber was the most obvious. However, the addition of micro PP fibers led to a degradation to the flexural performance of reinforced beams at room temperature. Meanwhile, the hybrid use of steel fiber and micro polypropylene fiber didn't present an obvious improvement to SCC beams. Compared to micro polypropylene fiber, the macro polypropylene fiber plays a more prominent role on affecting the structural behavior of SCC beams. A calculation method for ultimate bearing capacity of flexural SCC symmetric inclination beams at room temperature by taking appropriate effect of hybrid fibers into consideration was proposed. The prediction results using the proposed model are compared with the experimental data in this study and other literature. The results indicate that the proposed model can estimate the ultimate bearing capacity of SCC symmetric inclination beams containing hybrid fibers subjected to combined action of flexure and axial compression at room temperature.