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Effect of Polypropylene Fiber for Cement Concrete Based on Rigid Pavement

Article  in  Xi'an Dianzi Keji Daxue Xuebao/Journal of Xidian University · February 2021

DOI: 10.37896/jxu14.4/259

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Journal of Xidian University https://doi.org/10.37896/jxu14.4/259 ISSN No:1001-2400

Effect of Polypropylene Fiber for Cement

Concrete Based on Rigid Pavement
Ravindranath Gupt#1, Shashivendra Dulawat*2
#
Civil Engineering Department, Mewar University

Abstract— Concrete has the largest volume in present time construction and it is expected that there will be no other substitute for
concrete in the upcoming time. Since such as high volumes of concrete are being used for newly construction work, it is peremptory to
produce better quality of concrete that will be long lasting with increase mechanical properties to boost the service life of any structure.
However fine concrete can generate using automation and controlled environment. It is not feasible to alter its inherent breakable essence
and the need of any tensile strength. In this condition, fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) look to be a feasible alternative. In this research
study main focus on the practicability of using polypropylene fibers as subordinate reinforcement to concrete to change its brittle nature.
Accordingly, various percentages of polypropylene fibers were put into concrete and a sequence of lab experiments were control to explore
the use of polypropylene FRC in rigid pavements. Automatic properties of concrete such as compressive strength, flexural strength and the
ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage, property such as abrasion resistance. In this study fibre dose of 0.1% - 0.3% by volume was
introduced to the concrete. Fibre content 0.2% - 0.3% was found significant to enhance the property of concrete.

Keywords: Polypropylene fibres, Compressive Strength, Flexural Strength, Rigid Pavement.

INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL
Concrete is a vast material using worldwide. Concrete is using in manufacturing of infrastructure such
as bridges, roads, buildings etc. by use of concrete on a vast scale; we are reducing our natural minerals.
There is no other substitute by which we can replace concrete. Now days for new constructions we
produce high volume of concrete. Then it is compulsory that we produce such concrete that is more
durable and have enhanced mechanical properties of concrete, which will maximize the service life.
Concrete has its brittle nature and does not possess any tensile strength. Fibre reinforced can be an
alternative that will modify its brittle nature. Rigid pavement resists all the loading through slab action. In
slab action there is tension force generated at the bottom of rigid pavement. Due to tension at bottom
concrete slab may crack because concrete provides only 10% tensile strength as compare to its
compressive strength. To overcome this effect we can use different available fibre such as glass fibre,
polypropylene fibre, steel fibre etc as secondary reinforcement. The present study focuses on the utilize of
using Polypropylene Fibre that will act as secondary reinforcement and will improve brittle nature of
concrete. Various fractions were considered for study and different tests carried out in laboratory. Various
properties such as compressive strength, flexural strength, abrasion resistance and impact resistance were
determined. All mechanical properties of concrete increases with varying % of fibre dose. The present
study at different fibre content carried out to check that at how much extent the mechanical properties of
concrete will vary as compare to its original mechanical property.

1.2 POLYPROPYLENE FIBRE

Polypropylene fibre was first suggested by 1965 as a blend to concrete for construction of blast resistant
structures for the US Corps of Engineers. The fibre enhances additionally according to the various studies,
now it is used as small, discontinuous fibrillation material for production of fiber reinforced concrete.
Since the use of polypropylene fiber has expanded tremendously in the construction of various structures
because inclusion of fibers in concrete enhance the toughness, flexural strength, tensile strength and
impact strength further failure mode of concrete. Polypropylene fibre is economical, abundantly available,
and like all artificial fibres of a consistent quality. Polypropylene fibre is shown in figure 1.1

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Journal of Xidian University https://doi.org/10.37896/jxu14.4/259 ISSN No:1001-2400

1.2.1 Properties of Polypropylene Fibre

The raw material for polypropylene fibre is purely coal. Its method of polymerization, its excessive
molecular weight and the way it is take care of into fibres combine to give polypropylene fibres very
useful properties as describe below:

 Polypropylene Fibre is chemically inert. It does not react with any chemical inside the concrete. In
contact with most aggressive chemicals only the concrete will always deteriorate first.

Figure 1.1 Polypropylene Fibre

 The hydrophobic surface not being moist by a cement paste helps to stop chopping fibres from
balling outcome throughout mixing like other fibres.
 The water request is nil for polypropylene fibre.
 Polypropylene Fibre oriented randomly in the concrete, which provides strength in all directions.
 It is very light more material rather than cement ingredients, so it does not increase the dead load of
the structure.

1.2.2 Role of Fibre

 In initial stage when concrete converts from plastic stage to harden stage minor cracks are
developed due to hydration of water. These cracks remain permanently even after hardening of
concrete. Through these cracks, water enters into a concrete structure and durability of concrete get
reduced. Polypropylene fibre reduces these cracks by bridging action across the crack as shown in
figure 1.2. Polypropylene fibre increases durability by reducing crack width.
 Concrete is weak in tension and brittle in nature. This property of concrete is improved by addition
of Polypropylene fibre to the concrete. Concrete is powerful only in compression along with
Polypropylene fibre possessing only tensile strength. By addition of these two materials we can
manufacture a concrete that not only provides compressive strength, but also provides tensile
strength to concrete. Polypropylene fibre works as secondary reinforced in concrete. These fibres
are randomly oriented in concrete. This increases mechanical property of concrete. Polypropylene
fibre plays important role in concrete to make less permeable and high strength concrete.
The major causes for crack evolution are Plastic shrinkage, Plastic settlement, Freeze thaw damage,
Fire damage etc.

1.2.3 Advantage of Polypropylene Fibre

Polypropylene Fibre has following advantages:
 it is relatively inexpensive material
 it has low coefficient of friction.
 It provides resistance to moisture.
 It has good chemical resistance.
 It possesses flexural strength, fatigue resistance and impact resistance.

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Journal of Xidian University https://doi.org/10.37896/jxu14.4/259 ISSN No:1001-2400

2.0 METHODOLOGY ADOPTED FOR MIX DESIGN

Concrete mix design is the process of selecting suitable elements of concrete and decided their relative
quantity to make a concrete of required power, durability, and feasible as economical as viable is known as
concrete mix design. Mix design is done in two steps. In first step components of material is selected and
in the second step mix is designed by doing trials with the right combination of different ingredients
according to IRC: 44-2008.

2.1 Design of Concrete Mix

Compressive strength of concrete is considered as an index for mix design. Therefore mix design is
generally brought out for a certain compressive strength of concrete along with adequate workability
required for pavement concrete.

2.1.2 Mix Composition

The concrete mix was designed for varying percentages of polypropylene fibre, with a constant quantity
of cement, sand, coarse aggregate and super plasticizer. The polypropylene fibre percentage taken as 0.1%,
0.2%, 0.3% by volume. The quantities of different ingredients are given in Table 2.1.2 and Table 2.1.3

Table 2.1.2 Composition of Mix (Saturated Surface Dry Aggregate)

Cement Coarse
Sand
(kg/m3) Aggregate Water Admixture w/c
(Kg/m3)
(kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3) Ratio

388 773 1256 124

3.49 0.32
1 2 3.24 0.32

Table 2.1.3 Composition of Mix (Dry Aggregate)

Coarse
Cement
Sand Aggregate Water Admixture w/c
(kg/m3)
(kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3) Ratio

388 766 1249 137.8

3.49 0.32
1 1.97 3.22 0.35

2.2 CASTING OF SPECIMEN

Proportion in the Table 3.9 was used for casting the specimens. Only fibre content varied for casting
different mixes. Casting of specimens is shown in figure 2.2. Quantities of ingredients weighed as per
table, and mixing procedure adopted is as follow:
1. Weighed quantities of coarse aggregate and fine aggregate mixed in dry state.
2. Required quantities of cement and fibre added to mix of coarse aggregate and sand.
3. Now water added as given below:
a) Add approximate 50% of total water to the dry mix.
b) Add about 40% of water mixed with admixture.
c) Now add remaining water and mix it well.

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Journal of Xidian University https://doi.org/10.37896/jxu14.4/259 ISSN No:1001-2400

Figure 2.2 Casting of Specimens

All moulds properly oiled before casting the specimen. After mixing workability determined by Slump
test, and the entire specimen casted with proper compaction and smooth finishing. After 24 hours all
specimen removed from moulds and submerged in water for curing at room temperature.

2.3 TESTING PROCEDURE

Testing is done on fresh concrete and after curing. For fresh concrete slump was determined to control
workability of concrete. For testing of the specimen, the specimen withdraws out from the tank and
surface is wiped out. The various performed is shown below:
1. Compressive Strength of cubes after 7 and 28 days.
2. Flexural Strength and Modulus of Rupture of concrete after 7 and 28 days.
3. Abrasion test at 28 day

3.0 CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONING

3.1 MIX DESIGN

As per IRC-58, M-40 grade is recommended to be used in pavement construction for major roads. M-40
grade concrete was used for carrying out various investigations for this study. The mix design of M-40
grade concrete has been done using the guideline of IRC: 44-2008 and IS: 10269-2009.

3.1.1 Mix Proportioning for Trial Mix Based on Aggregate in SSD Condition
1.
Cement = 388 kg/m3
2. Water = 124 kg/m3
3. Fine Aggregate = 773 kg/m3
4. Coarse aggregate = 1256 kg/m3
5. Chemical-Admixture = 3.49 kg/m3
6. Water/Cement ratio = 0.32
7. The various mix proportions used for study of concrete are given in Table 3.1.1.

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Journal of Xidian University https://doi.org/10.37896/jxu14.4/259 ISSN No:1001-2400

Table 3.1.1 Mix Proportion for Various Mix

Fine Coarse Super Polypropyene

Cement Water
Mix Aggregate Aggregate plasticizer Fibre
kg/m3 kg/m3
kg/m3 kg/m3 kg/m3 Kg/m3

Control mix
388 124 773 1256 3.49 0 (0%)
(N)
0.910
Mix 1 388 124 773 1256 3.49
(0.1%)

Mix 2 388 124 773 1256 3.49 1.82 (0.2%)

Mix 3 388 124 773 1256 3.49 2.73 (0.3%)

Quantities of all ingredients are kept constant except polypropylene fiber content.
Control mix does not have any fiber content. Further fibre content taken in increasing order from Mix 1
to Mix 3. Fiber content is taken in % by volume of concrete varying from 0.1% to 0.3% as shown in
Table 4.2.

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Compressive Strength of Concrete

It is the characteristic strength of concrete. It is the most important aspect of concrete to withstand in
compressive force. Cubes of M-40 grade concrete of size 150mm were casted and tested after curing. This
test was performed on compression testing machine.
Concrete cubes for compressive strength trail at 7 days and 28 days.

4.2 Flexural Strength of Concrete

Rigid pavement resists the entire load due to flexural action of slab. So this flexural strength is very
important aspect. M-40 grade concrete specimen was casted as a beam for testing of flexural strength of
concrete, and trail at 7 day and 28 day.
Figure 4.1 Graphical Arrangement of Compressive Strength at 7 & 28 day

70 58.11 62.28
60 51.89 53.42
43.95 47.21
50 38.26
35.84
40
30
20
10
0
Control
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3
Mix
7 day compressive
35.84 38.26 43.95 47.21
strength
28 day compressive
51.89 53.42 58.11 62.28
strength

7 day compressive strength 28 day compressive strength

Figure 4.2 Graphical Comparison of Flexural Strength at 7 & 28 day

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Journal of Xidian University https://doi.org/10.37896/jxu14.4/259 ISSN No:1001-2400

9 7.42 7.54 7.87 7.96

8 6.42 6.64
7 5.82 5.96
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Control
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3
Mix
Flexural Strength at 7
5.82 5.96 6.42 6.64
day
Flexural Strength at 28
7.42 7.54 7.87 7.96
day

Flexural Strength at 7 day Flexural Strength at 28 day

For 7 day flexural strength test result the rate of gain of strength decreases after Mix 2. Up to Mix 2 the
gain increases faster and decreases slightly after Mix 2.
5.0 CONCLUSIONS

The present study ―Effect of Polypropylene Fibre Based on Cement Concrete for Rigid Pavement‖ has
been done successfully to assess the addition of polypropylene fibre on various things of concrete used in
the rigid pavement construction. The main conclusions drawn from the study are as given below:

1. It is noticeable that grow in polypropylene fibre content in concrete increase compressive strength.
2. Polypropylene fibre content in the concrete also increases flexural strength.
3. The increase in above strength is due to the fact that the polypropylene fibre arrests the cracks
developed in concrete, this grow the strength of concrete.
4. Grow in compressive along with flexural strength up to 0.20% by volume fibre content rapidly and
strength increment decreases after 0.20% fibre content. It shows that fibre content between 0.20%-
0.30 percent is beneficial to use.
5. The mechanical properties of polypropylene fibre reinforced concrete are superior to plain
reinforced concrete.
6. There is the small increment in abrasion resistance of concrete due to polypropylene fibre.
Overall there is an increment in mechanical properties and durability properties of concrete.

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