Investigation of flexural performance of concrete reinforced with indented and fibrillated macro polypropylene fibers based on numerical and experimental comparison

The fiber/matrix interface in fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) enhances due to the geometry of fiber surface. This work benefits from freedom of fiber engineering due to the availability of fiber production facilities. Non-indented, indented, flat tape, and fibrillated macro polypropylene fibers were produced. The effect of fiber surface indentation and fibrillation on FRCs flexural performance was investigated. Concrete flexural strength due to the effect of fiber young modulus was found to increases by 94 and 61%, when indented and fibrillated fibers are used, respectively. The energy absorption capacity of samples containing indented and fibrillated fibers due to the effect of surface fibrillation were found to be 5.5 and 12.5 times more than that of control concrete, respectively. The mechanical performance of FRCs was modeled using finite element model. The model generated and experimental results showed acceptable compatibility. Thus, the model can be concluded to be a successful tool for prediction of FRCs flexural performance.

Automated summary

The fiber/matrix interface in fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) can be enhanced by adjusting the geometry of the fiber surface, leading to improvements in flexural performance and energy absorption capacity. The finite element model used was successful in predicting the mechanical performance of FRC, demonstrating its significance for the design and optimization of concrete structures.