FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE

A SEMINAR REPORT
Submitted By
Arijit Bose
(Roll No- 16801317060)
&
Umasankar Mudi
(Roll No- 161317002)

in Partial Fulfillments of the Requirements For The Degree

of
B. Tech in Civil Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering

SAROJ MOHAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
GUPTIPARA, HOOGHLY

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ABSTRACT-
Concrete is a construction material composed of cement, fine aggregates (sand) and
coarse aggregates mixed with water which hardens with time. Portland cement is the
commonly used type of cement for production of concrete. Concrete technology deals
with study of properties of concrete and its practical applications. In a building
construction, concrete is used for the construction of foundations, columns, beams,
slabs and other load bearing elements.

Various types of concrete are manufactured these days for construction of buildings
and structures. These have special properties and features which improve quality of
construction as per requirement. One of this special types of concrete is Fiber
Reinforced Concrete. Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) is concrete containing fibrous
material which increases its structural integrity.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

SL NO. TOPIC PAGE NO

1. INTRODUCTION. 1.
COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE OF
2. STANDARD CONCRETE AND FIBRE 2–3
REINFORCED CONCRETE.
TYPES OF FIBERS USED IN FIBER
3. 4-5
REINFORCEMENT CONCRETE.
4. EFFECT OF FIBERS IN CONCRETE. 6
FACTORS AFFECTING PROPERTIES OF FIBER
5. REINFORCED CONCRETE. 7-8

6. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF FRC. 9 - 10

7. STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR OF FRC. 11

ADVANTAGES OF FIBER REINFORCED
8. 12
CONCRETE.
DISADVANTAGES OF FIBER REINFORCED
9. 13
CONCRETE.
APPLICATIONS OF FIBER REINFORCED
10. 14
CONCRETE.
11. CONCLUSION. 15

12. REFERENCES. 16

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 LIST OF FIGURES

SL NO. DETAILS OF FIGURES PAGE NO

1. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF FIBER 1.

REINFORCED CONCRETE.
2. TYPES OF FIBERS USED IN FIBER 5.
REINFORCED CONCRETE.

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 LIST OF TABLES

SL NO. DETAILS OF TABLES PAGE NO

1. COMPARISON OF SC AND FRSC FOR 2.

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH.

2. COMPARISON OF SC AND FRSC FOR SPLIT 2.

TENSILE STRENGTH.
3. COMPARISON OF SC AND FRSC FOR 3.
FLEXURAL STRENGTH.

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INTRODUCTION-
Concrete is a construction material composed of cement as well as other
cementatious materials such as fly ash and slag content, aggregate (generally a coarse
aggregate such as gravel, limestone, or granite, plus a fine aggregate such as river
sand), water, and chemical admixtures. Apart from its excellent properties, concrete
shows a rather low performance when subjected to tensile stress. Another rather
recent development is Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC). The concept of using fibers
as reinforcement is not new. Fibers have been used as reinforcement since ancient
times. Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) is concrete containing fibrous material which
increases its structural integrity.

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COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE OF STANDARD
CONCRETE AND FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE-
 COMPARISON OF SC AND FRSC FOR COMPRESSIVE
STRENGTH-
it can be observed that FRSC exhibits more compressive strength than the SC
at the all temperatures. As the temperature is increased FRSC maintained low
decrement profile than SC resulting in more percentage compressive strengths
after 1000C. The difference between compressive strength of FRSC and SC
varies in the range is 6-10 percentage.

 COMPARISON OF SC AND FRSC FOR SPLIT TENSILE

STRENGTH-
it can be observed that FRSC exhibits more split tensile strength than the SC at
the all temperatures. As the temperature is increased FRSC maintained low
decrement profile than SC resulting in more percentage split tensile strengths
after 100°C. The difference between split tensile strength of FRSC and SC
varies in the range is 0-12 percentage.

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 COMPARISON OF SC AND FRSC FOR FLEXURAL
STRENGTH-
it can be observed that FRSC exhibits more flexural strength than the SC at the
all temperatures. As the temperature is increased FRSC maintained low
decrement profile than SC resulting in more percentage flexural strengths after
1000C. The difference between flexural strength of FRSC and SC varies in the
range is 0-20 percentage.

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Different Types Of Fibers Used in Fiber Reinforcement
Concrete-
Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) is concrete containing fibrous material which
increases its structural integrity. It contains short discrete fibers that are uniformly
distributed and randomly oriented. Fibers include steel fibers, glass fibers, synthetic
fibers and natural fibers – each of which lend varying properties to the concrete.
Some of the most mentionable fibers are.

 Natural fiber reinforced concrete (NFRC)-

consists of cellulose fibers that are processed from pine trees. This category is
also producing good results. The recycled carpet waste has been successfully
used for concrete reinforcement by using the waste carpet fibers.

 Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced (PFR) concrete –

Polypropylene is a cheap and abundant polymer widely used due to its
resistance to forming chemical reactions.

 Asbestos Fibers-
These fibers are cheap and provide the cement with mechanical, chemical and
thermal resistance, although the asbestos fiber reinforced concrete appears to
have low impact strength.
 Carbon Fibers-
These fibers have been recently used due to their very high modulus of
elasticity and flexural strength. Characteristics such as strength and stiffness
are better than those of steel fibers, although they are more susceptible to
damage.

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EFFECT OF FIBERS IN CONCRETE-
Fibers are usually used in concrete to control plastic shrinkage cracking and drying
shrinkage cracking. They also lower the permeability of concrete and thus reduce
bleeding of water. Some types of fibers produce greater impact, abrasion and shatter
resistance in concrete. The amount of fibers added to a concrete mix is measured as a
percentage of the total volume of the composite (concrete and fibers) termed volume
fraction (Vf). (Vf) typically ranges from 0.1 to 3%. Aspect ratio (l/d) is calculated by
dividing fiber length (l) by its diameter (d). Fibers with a non-circular cross section
use an equivalent diameter for the calculation of aspect ratio. If the modulus of
elasticity of the fiber is higher than that of the matrix (concrete or mortar binder),
they help to carry the load by increasing the tensile strength of the material.

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FACTORS AFFECTING PROPERTIES OF FIBER
REINFORCED CONCRETE-
Fiber reinforced concrete is the composite material containing fibers in the cement
matrix in an orderly manner or randomly distributed manner. Its properties would
obviously, depends upon the efficient transfer of stress between matrix and the fibers.
The factors are briefly discussed below:
 RELATIVE FIBER MATRIX STIFFNESS-
The modulus of elasticity of matrix must be much lower than that of fiber for
efficient stress transfer. Low modulus of fiber such as nylons and polypropylene
are, therefore, unlikely to give strength improvement, but the help in the
absorption of large energy and therefore, impart greater degree of toughness and
resistance to impart. High modulus fibers such as steel, glass and carbon impart
strength and stiffness to the composite.InterfacialInterfacial bond between the
matrix and the fiber also determine the effectiveness of stress transfer, from the
matrix to the fiber. A good bond is essential for improving tensile strength of the
composite.
 VOLUME OF FIBERS-
The strength of the composite largely depends on the quantity of fibers used in it.
Fig 1 and 2 show the effect of volume on the toughness and strength. It can see
from Fig 1 that the increase in the volume of fibers, increase approximately
linearly, the tensile strength and toughness of the composite. Use of higher
percentage of fiber is likely to cause segregation and harshness of concrete and
mortar.
 ASPECT RATIO OF THE FIBER-
Another important factor which influences the properties and behavior of the
composite is the aspect ratio of the fiber. It has been reported that up to aspect
ratio of 75, increase on the aspect ratio increases the ultimate concrete linearly.
Beyond 75, relative strength and toughness is reduced. Table-1 shows the effect
of aspect ratio on strength and toughness.
 ORIENTATION OF FIBERS-
One of the differences between conventional reinforcement and fiber
reinforcement is that in conventional reinforcement, bars are oriented in the
direction desired while fibers are randomly oriented. To see the effect of
randomness, mortar specimens reinforced with 0.5% volume of fibers were
tested. In one set specimens, fibers were aligned in the direction of the load, in
another in the direction perpendicular to that of the load, and in the third
randomly distributed.

It was observed that the fibers aligned parallel to the applied load offered more
tensile strength and toughness than randomly distributed or perpendicular fibers.
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 WORKABILITY AND COMPACTION OF CONCRETE-
Incorporation of steel fiber decreases the workability considerably. This situation
adversely affects the consolidation of fresh mix. Even prolonged external
vibration fails to compact the concrete. The fiber volume at which this situation is
reached depends on the length and diameter of the fiber.

Another consequence of poor workability is non-uniform distribution of the

fibers. Generally, the workability and compaction standard of the mix is
improved through increased water/ cement ratio or by the use of some kind of
water reducing admixtures.

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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF FRC-
high aspect ratio were found to have improved effectiveness. It was shown that forthe
same length and diameter, crimped-end fibers can achieve the same properties as
straight fibers using 40 percent less fibers. In determining the mechanical properties
of FRC, the same equipment and procedure as used for conventional concrete can
also be used. Below are cited some properties of FRC determined by different
researchers.
 Compressive Strength-
The presence of fibers may alter the failure mode of cylinders, but the
fiber effect will be minor on the improvement of compressive strength
values (0 to 15 percent).
 Modulus of Elasticity-
Modulus of elasticity of FRC increases slightly with an increase in the
fibers content. It was found that for each 1 percent increase in fiber
content by volume there is an increase of 3 percent in the modulus of
elasticity.
 Flexure-
The flexural strength was reported [ to be increased by 2.5 times using 4
percent fibers.
 Toughness-
For FRC, toughness is about 10 to 40 times that of plain concrete.
 Splitting Tensile Strength-
The presence of 3 percent fiber by volume was reported to increase the
splitting tensile strength of mortar about 2.5 times that of the
unreinforced one.
 Fatigue Strength-
The addition of fibers increases fatigue strength of about 90 percent and
70 percent of the static strength at 2 x 106 cycles for non-reverse and full
reversal of loading, respectively.
 Impact Resistance-
The impact strength for fibrous concrete is generally 5 to 10 times that of
plain concrete depending on the volume of fiberus

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 Corrosion of Steel Fibers-
A lO-year exposure[2jofsteel fibrous mortar to outdoor weathering in an
industrial atmosphere showed no adverse effect on the strength
properties. Corrosion was found to be confined only to fibers actually
exposed on the surface. Steel fibrous mortar continuously immerse in
seawater for 10 years exhibited a 15 percent loss compared to 40 percent
strength decrease of plain mortar.

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STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR OF FRC-
 Flexure-
The use of fibers in reinforced concrete flexure members increases
ductility, tensile strength, moment capacity, and stiffness. The fibers
improve crack control and preserve post cracking structural integrity of
members.
 Torsion-
The use of fibers eliminate the sudden failure characteristic of plain
concrete beams. It increases stiffness, torsional strength, ductility,
rotational capacity, and the number of cracks with less crack width.
 Shear-
Addition of fibers increases shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams
up to 100percent. Addition of randomly distributed fibers increases
shear-friction strength, the first crack strength, and ultimate strength.
 Column-
The increase of fiber content slightly increases the ductility of axially
loaded specimen. The use of fibers helps in reducing the explosive type
failure for columns.
 High Strength Concrete-
Fibers increases the ductility of high strength concrete. The use of high
strength concrete and steel produces slender members. Fiber addition
will help in controlling cracks and deflections.
 Cracking and Deflection-
Tests have shown that fiber reinforcement effectively controls cracking
and deflection, in addition to strength improvement. In conventionally
reinforced concrete beams, fiber addition increases stiffness, and reduces
deflection.

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ADVANTAGES OF FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE-
 Reinforcing concrete with Steel fiber results in durable concrete with a high
flexural and fatigue flexural strength, improved abrasion, spilling and impact
resistance.
 The elimination of conventional reinforcement, and in some cases the
reduction in section thickness can contribute to some significant productivity
improvements. Steel fibers can deliver significant cost savings, together with
reduced material volume, more rapid construction and reduced labor costs.
 The random distribution of Steel fibers in concrete ensures that crack free
stress accommodation occurs throughout the concrete. Thus micro cracks are
intercepted before they develop and impair the performance of the concrete.
 Steel fibers are a far more economical design alternative.

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DISADVANTAGES OF FIBRE REINFORCED
CONCRETE-
Using fibers will help in reduce that cracking and slightly increase the stiffness
of the concrete. But some disadvantages are:

 Increase in specific gravity of the concrete. This means that the concrete
will be heavier than normal concrete in case of some fibers. We are
looking at structural concrete so I would avoid considering polystyrene.
 Proportioning the exact amount of fibers in the batch of concrete. Test
have shown that a slight variation in fibers creates tremendous changes in
concrete strength.
 Higher cost because of its control issues (production issues) as well as the
cost of raw material is high.
 Corrosion of steel fibers. We use fibers to increase the tensile strength and
stiffness and in order to get higher performance of concrete we want the fibers
to perform well. Corrosion will reduce the performance level.

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APPLICATIONS OF FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE –
It is used on account of the advantage of increased static and dynamic tensile strength
and better fatigue strength. FRC is used for:
• Runway, Aircraft parking and Pavements
• Industrial flooring
• Tunnel and canal lining
• Slope stabilization
• Thin shells
• Curtain Walls
• Pipes
• Manholes
• Dams and Hydraulic structures
• Roof tiles
• Composite decks
• Impact resisting structures

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CONCLUSION-
The efficient utilization of fibrous concrete involves improved static and dynamic
properties like tensile strength, energy absorbing characteristics, Impact strength and
fatigue strength. Also, provides isotropic strength properties not common in the
conventional concrete. Fibrous concrete will provide a universal solution to the
problems associated with plain concrete. Hence it is not likely to replace the
conventional structural concrete in total. The enormous increase in impact resistance
and fatigue resistance allow the new material to be used in some specified
applications where conventional concrete is at a disadvantage. A new approach in
design and in the utilization of this material, to account for both increase in
performance and economics is, therefore, needed. FRC is costly. FRC is normally
applied on bridge construction. It has the ability to sustain a load without excessive
deformation. It can be used as external reinforcement in the rehabilitation of
reinforced structures. The architect used it as sliding roofing, flooring and partition.

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REFERENCES-
I. https://theconstructor.org/concrete/fiber-reinforced-concrete/150/
II. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321937230_FIBRE_REINFORCED_
CONCRETE-_A_CASE_STUDY
III. Concrete Technology by M.S. Shetty
IV. Experimental studies on fiber reinforced concrete (frc) - IAEME Journals.

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