Influence of steel-polypropylene fibers on fracture parameters of high performance concrete

The purpose of this article is to determine the influence of the type of fibers on fracture parameters of high performance concrete (HPC). In this study there were two types of coarse aggregate used: granite and granodiorite with a grain size of about 2/8 mm. Experimental tests were performed on cubic samples, cylinders and notched beams. In the concrete of FRC type, 0.5 and 0.75% of steel fibers and 0.5 and 0.25% of polypropylene fibers respectively, were added. Mean strengths and standard deviations for compression, splitting tensile strength, mean static modulus of elasticity and mean fracture energy were determined. Experimental studies in the 1st fracture model showed that the HPC without the addition of fibers (C), was characterized by brittleness, and fiber concrete (FRC) was more ductile. Fibers were bridging the cracks during loading, delayed hairline cracks and prevented the notched beams from breaking. The shape of the descending curve of the load-deflection depended on the geometry and mechanical properties and the quantity of the fibers used, and in the case of HPC without fiber, on the type of coarse aggregate. In the case of granodiorite aggregate, better mechanical parameters of concrete were observed.