Effect of Hybrid Micro-macro Polypropylene Fiber Reinforcement on Eco-Friendly High Strength Concrete
摘要
The increasing emphasis on sustainable construction methods has led to the investigation of alternative materials aimed at improving concrete performance while minimizing its environmental impact. This study incorporated two blends of micro and macro polypropylene fibers (Mi-MaPPF) in ratios of 25:75 and 50:50 to develop high-strength concrete. The fiber volume fractions (Vf) tested were 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%. Recycled Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) was used as a supplementary material to partially replace cement, promoting sustainability. To assess workability and mechanical properties, slump, Vebe, compressive, and splitting tensile strength tests were performed. The results indicated that increasing the fiber volume fraction improved the mechanical properties. When compared to the Control Mix (HSC-high strength concrete), the MSM (micro-structural macro) combination exhibited greater strength enhancements than the SM (structural macro) combination. The highest 28-day compressive strength of 54.04 MPa was achieved by the hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HyFRC) at 0.3% Vf, reflecting a 10% increase. The maximum split tensile strength recorded was 4.76 MPa for HyFRC – 50:50 at 0.3% Vf, marking a 26% improvement. The enhanced strength is attributed to the synergistic effects of the hybrid polypropylene fibers, where microfibers bridge cracks and macro fibers provide additional reinforcement. However, workability decreased for 0.3% Vf, with a slump reduction of 59.4% and an increase of 86.5% in Vebe time compared to the control mix. Additionally, residual strength tests showed that hybrid polypropylene fibers improve post-cracking behavior, resulting in a more gradual failure pattern at maximum load. Consequently, the findings suggest that this approach could be a viable alternative for sustainable green construction materials.