Plastic Shrinkage Reduction Potential of a New High Tenacity Monofilament Polypropylene Fiber

Abstract

This paper presents the evaluation of a new high tenacity monofilament polypropylene fiber for the reduction of plastic shrinkage cracks in concrete. The crack reduction potential of the fiber was studied using cement-rich concrete and the performance of the fiber was compared with that of three other presently available fibers (Fiber B, Fiber C, and Fiber D). Performance of these fibers was evaluated by comparing the area of plastic shrinkage cracks developed in control slabs (with no fibers) with the crack area of fiber reinforced concrete slabs. For example, the reduction of the crack area due to the addition of the new high tenacity monofilament fiber was 91 percent for a dosage of 0.593 kg/m(3) [1.0 lb/yd(3)], 86 percent for 0.297kg/m(3) [0.5 lbs/yd(3)] and 57 percent for 0.196 kg/m(3) [0.33 lbs/yd(3)]. The results indicate that the new fiber with fiber length of about 18 mm[3/4 inch], and a fiber dosage of 0.593 kg/m(3) [1.0 lb/yd(3)] was most effective in reducing the plastic shrinkage cracks in concrete. For the same fiber quality, three other fibers were less effective in reducing cracks.