UNIVERSITY OF ANBAR
ENGEENERING COLLEGE
CIVIAL ENGINEERING
FIBRE REINFORCED
CONCRETE
Prepared By:
1- Mustafa Basim Baser
2- Mohamed Abd Allah
3- Abd Al-Rahman Shakr
4- Omar Thae’r
5- Abd Al-Qader Emad
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF:
Dr. Mahmoud Kh.Mohammed
1
FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE
Table of contents
1. INTRODUCTION 04-05
2. THE DEFINTION 06
3. MATERIALS 07
4. Effect of Fibers in Concrete 09
5. The applications of Fiber Reinforced Concrete 10
6. The necessity of Fiber Reinforced Concrete 11
7. Different Types of Fiber Reinforced Concrete 12
8. Fiber Reinforced Concrete Properties 13
9. Fiber reinforced concrete uses 14
10. fiber reinforced concrete advantages 15
11. fiber reinforced concrete disadvantages 16
12. The Suggestions for developing fiber-reinforced concrete 17
13. References 18
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FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE
Table of Figures
FIGURE 1 05
FIGURE 2 06
FIGURE 3 09
FIGURE 4 10
FIGURE 5 10
FIGURE 6 11
FIGURE 7 12
FIGURE 8 15
FIGURE 9 15
3
INTRODUCTION
Concrete is reported to be the most widely used substance on earth after
water and recognized as a highly cost-effective versatile material used for the
construction of housing, healthcare, education, transport, energy, industrial
and many more applications. Without concrete many structures would simply
be impossible to construct. Despite the versatility, concrete is affected with
several drawbacks that are inherent to its composition. Whilst it has very high
compressive strength, by generally accepted engineering standards concrete
has a significantly lower tensile capacity and considered relatively brittle and
lacking in flexural strength. Additionally, concrete tends to crack in both the
plastic (early-age) and hardened (long-term) state.
Early-age cracks are defined as cracks that generally develop within the first
hours and days after concrete placement and include plastic shrinkage and
plastic settlement cracking. Long-term cracking, on the other hand, is in part
caused by the shrinkage that transpires over several months, perhaps even
years of drying that follows. In either case, these cracks can jeopardize the
overall integrity of the concrete and not allow it to maintain or even attain its
maximum performance capability.
The introduction of fiber reinforcement not only improves the flexural
strength and toughness of concrete but also provides exceptional resistance
to early and long-term cracking thus allowing concrete to achieve a long-term
durability.
Whilst fibre reinforced concrete is now widely accepted in the construction
and ready mixed concrete industry, there are many countries yet to be
convinced of its practical, technical, and commercial benefits. Perhaps some
still view fibre reinforcement as a relatively new and unproven technology
when in fact it has been used for many centuries. lndeed, our ancient
ancestors were the first to use similar technology by incorporating straw into
clay blocks and animal hair into plasters/ mortars for the purpose of
preventing cracking during the drying process.
Fibre technology was applied to concrete in the 1950's based on the idea of
dosing steel reinforcement into the concrete mixer instead of fixing it within
the formwork. Steel reinforcement was cut down into discrete discontinuous
pieces to allow them to fit into the mixer, which became known as steel fiber
reinforcement.
4
SINCE THE 1950'S A HUGE NUMBER OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN
CARRIED OUT TO DEVELOP NEW TYPES OF FIBRE REINFORCEMENT. IN
TODAY'S MARKET THE MOST WIDELY USED MATERIALS FOR FIBRES IN
CONCRETE ARE STEEL, POLYPROPYLENE, AND OTHER MATERIALS SUCH AS
GLASS AND NATURALLY OCCURRING MATERIALS SUCH AS CELLULOSE.
FORTUNATELY, DESIGN STANDARDS ALLOWING THE REPLACEMENT
OFTRADITIONAL STEEL BAR REINFORCEMENT WITH FIBRE REINFORCED
CONCRETE (FRC) ARE NOW MORE PROMINENT AND COUNTLESS DOCUMENTS
ONLINE COVER THE MERITS OF FRC, MAKING IT MORE ACCEPTABLE TO
ENGINEERS, CONTACTORS, AND OWNERS. THE TRADITIONAL METHOD OF
REINFORCING CONCRETE WITH STEEL BARS IS PREDOMINANTLY TAUGHT IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING SCHOOLS BUT THERE IS UNDOUBTEDLY AN INCREASING
INTEREST AND RESEARCH INTO THE MERITS OF FRC.
NEVERTHLESS, THE USAGE OF FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE IS STILL
RELATIVELY LOW MEANING THAT THERE IS A HUGE POTENTIAL GROWTH IN
THE FRC MARKET.
WITH THIS HANDBOOK THE READER HAS A GUIDE TO THE MOST RELEVANT
TOPICS RELATIVE TO FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE. THIS WILL HOPEFULLY
PROVIDE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS RELATING TO SELECTION, BENEFITS AND
USAGE OF FIBRES, WITHOUT GOING INTO TOO MUCH OF THE RESPECTIVE
SCIENTIFIC DETAILS
FIGURE 1
5
THE DEFINTION
WHAT IS FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE ?
Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) is a composite material combining
concrete and discontinuous discrete fibres that are uniformly
distributed throughout the concrete to create a 3-dimensional system
of reinforcement. The inclusion of fibres in concrete and other
cementitious materials, such as mortars and renders, improves many
material properties including:
DUCTILITY
TOUGHNESS
CRACK RESISTANCE
STRENGTH
REDUCING EXPLOSIVE SPALLING
REDUCED PERMEABILITYIMPACT / SHATTER RESISTANCE
FATIGUE RESISTANCE
FIGURE 2
Materials primarily adopted for FRC are steel, polypropylene, glass, and
natural fibres.
In today’s construction market FRC is often the first-choice reinforcement
for many important applications including slab on ground or grade,
composite metal decking and tunnel linings. It is often used as a cost-
effective, easy-to-use alternative to traditional steel reinforcement, or to
enhance other properties.
Fibres are easily added to the concrete/ mortar either at the batching plant
or on-site. When used as a replacement for steel reinforcement, FRC
removes the need to order steels bars or mesh and at the same time not
having to store these bulky materials on site. FRC also reduces the labour-
intensive process of cutting, placing, and fixing reinforcement. Overall
concrete placement using fibres is faster, safer and will save money.
FRC is a growing interest for civil infrastructure owners in achieving greater
concrete durability and longevity and has seen more and more projects
move towards the use of high-performance concrete (HPC) and ultra -high
performance concrete (UHPC).
6
The use of HPC/UHPC brings added risk of explosive spalling damage in the
event of serious fire. Particularly in tunnel applications, polypropylene micro
fibres are recognised as an effective measure to reduce dangerous explosive
spalling. This increase in interest has drawn many Engineers to seriously
consider the enhanced durability benefits of FRC either in combination with
traditional steel reinforcement or as a replacement for certain applications
MATERIALS
A huge variety of fibres can be found on the market made of different
materials with different geometries. The most used materials for fibres in
concrete are steel, polyolefin (polypropylene, polyethylene, or a combination
of), or other synthetic materials, glass (alkali-resistant) and natural materials
like cellulose.
The main materials referred to in this handbook will be synthetic
polypropylene fibres and steel
Table 1 : Main properties of materials commonly used to make fibres in concrete
Tensile Strength Strain to
E-Modulus Density
Fibre Material [N/mm²] rupture [%]
[kN/mm²] [g/cm³]
Steel (normal)
210 400-2500 3–4 7.8
Steel (non-
corrosive) 170 2100 3 7.8
Polypropylene (PP) 1-8 165-600 20 0.9 – 0.91
Polyvinyl alcohol
30 880 -1600 6 1.31
(PVA)
9 -38 400 - 700
Natural Sisal 4 1.3 – 1.5
Vegetable fibres 4 - 40 0 - 1000 5-10 1.5
2500
Glass fibres 80 5 2.7
Carbon fibres
300 450 - 400 1.5 1.7
7
Polypropylene may sometimes also be referred to polyolefin. Polyolefins are
a general term for polypropylenes and polyethylene’s. According to ASTM
D7508/D7508M polyolefin is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of
at least 85% by weight of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units
(monomers), except amorphous (non-crystalline) polyolefin
Table 2: Main properties of the fibre matrix material
Tensile Strength Strain to
Matrix Material E-Modulus Density
[N/mm²] rupture [%]
[kN/mm²] [g/cm³]
Cement stone 7 - 28 <8 0.04
2.0
Mortar 20 - 45 <6 0.01
2.3
Concrete 20 - 45 <4 0.01
2.4
In principle, the material used for reinforcing another material should have a
higher elastic modulus, a higher tensile strength, and a higher strain to
rupture. However, in the case of fibre reinforced concrete this does not
necessarily need to be fulfilled as:
Fibre dosages used for normal FRC are generally too low to influence the
tensile
strength or the elastic modulus of the composite material.
Fibres work at different stages of the hardening process of the concrete.
The concrete in
the first hours after placing has a much lower tensile strength and a much
lower elastic modulus than after a few days.
Fibres for concrete are designed to be pulled out of the concrete matrix
and increase the
resistance of the fibre reinforced concrete in the cracked state
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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 the bleeding of water. Some types of fibers
produce greater impact, abrasion and shatter resistance in concrete.
Generally, fibers do not increase the flexural strength of concrete, so it
can not replace moment resisting or structural steel reinforcement. Some
fibers reduce the strength of 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 the matrix (concrete or mortar
binder), they help to carry the load by increasing the tensile strength of
the material. An increase in the aspect ratio of the fiber usually segments
the flexural strength and toughness of the matrix. However, fibers that
are too long tend to "ball" in the mix and create workability problems.
Some recent research indicated that using fibers in concrete has a limited
effect on the impact resistance of concrete materials. This finding is very
important since traditionally people think the ductility increases when
concrete reinforced with fibers. The results also pointed out that the
microfibres are better in impact resistance compared with the longer
fibers.
FIGURE 3
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The applications of Fiber Reinforced Concrete
1. Ground-level applications, such as sidewalks and building
floors
2. Basement foundations
3. Building pillars
4. Support beams
5. Bridges
6. Burial vaults
7. Roadways FIGURE 4
8. Roof shingles and tiles
9. Shotcrete applications—such as pools, basins, agricultural
waterways, and rock walls
10. Drainage pipes
11. Septic tanks
12. Sewer systems
13. Precast and prefabricated shapes—such as composite decks and
thin cement sheets and panels
14. Vaults and safes
FIGURE 5
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The necessity of Fiber Reinforced Concrete
1. It increases the tensile strength of the concrete.
2. It reduces the air voids and water voids the inherent porosity of gel.
3. It increases the durability of the concrete.
4. Fibers such as graphite and glass have excellent resistance to creep,
while the same is not true for most resins. Therefore, the orientation
and volume of fibres have a significant influence on the creep
performance of rebars/tendons.
5. Reinforced concrete itself is a composite material, where the
reinforcement acts as the strengthening fibre and the concrete as the
matrix. It is therefore imperative that the behavior under thermal
stresses for the two materials be similar so that the differential
deformations of concrete and the reinforcement are minimized.
6. It has been recognized that the addition of small, closely spaced and
uniformly dispersed fibers to concrete would act as crack arrester and
would substantially improve its static and dynamic properties.
FIGURE 6
Variation of split tensile strength with age of concrete
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Different Types of Fiber Reinforced Concrete
1. Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete
2. Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced (PFR) cement mortar & concrete
3. GFRC Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete
4. Asbestos Fibers
5. Carbon Fibers
6. Organic Fibers
FIGURE 7
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Fiber Reinforced Concrete Properties
1. Improved toughness: FRC exhibits enhanced toughness and resistance to
cracking due to the addition of fibers, which bridge cracks and absorb
energy.
2. Increased tensile strength: Fibers add significant tensile strength to
concrete, particularly in the cracked phase, thanks to fiber-bridging
mechanisms across the crack surface.
3. Reduced shrinkage cracking: FRC reduces shrinkage crack formation and
crack widths, making it suitable for applications where low shrinkage is
critical.
4. Enhanced durability: Fibers improve the durability of concrete by
reducing the likelihood of corrosion and increasing resistance to
degradation.
5. Increased fire resistance: FRC exhibits improved fire resistance due to the
fibers’ ability to withstand high temperatures and maintain their integrity.
6. Impact resistance: Fibers increase the impact resistance of concrete,
making it suitable for applications where high-velocity loads are
expected.
7. Abrasion resistance: FRC exhibits improved abrasion resistance, reducing
the risk of surface degradation and wear.
8. Creep resistance: Fibers can reduce the creep deformation of concrete
under sustained loads, making it suitable for applications where long-
term stability is critical.
9. Flexural toughness: FRC’s flexural toughness depends on fiber material,
dosage, aspect ratio, geometry, bond characteristics, and concrete
properties.
10. Variability in fiber properties: Different types of fibers (e.g., steel, glass,
synthetic, natural) exhibit distinct properties, influencing the overall
performance of FRC.
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fiber reinforced concrete uses
1. Underground construction: FRC has largely replaced traditional rebar in
tunnel segments, providing improved durability and reduced
maintenance.
2. On-ground floors and pavements: FRC is used for construction of floors,
pavements, and other on-ground structures, offering increased tensile
strength and resistance to cracking.
3. Precast concrete: FRC is used in precast concrete products, such as
beams, pliers, and foundations, due to its improved durability and
reduced shrinkage cracking.
4. Bridge construction: FRC is used in bridge construction, particularly in
high-traffic areas, to provide increased resistance to cracking and
improved durability.
5. Highway construction: FRC is used in highway construction, including
roadways, driveways, and sidewalks, to provide improved durability and
reduced maintenance.
6. Shotcrete: FRC is used in shotcrete applications, such as pool
construction, to provide improved durability and reduced shrinkage
cracking.
7. Foundations: FRC is used in foundation construction, including basement
walls and footings, to provide improved resistance to cracking and
improved durability.
8. Drainage structures: FRC is used in drainage structures, such as ditches
and storm-water channels, to provide improved durability and resistance
to erosion.
9. Dams and lock structures: FRC is used in dam and lock structure
construction to provide improved durability and resistance to cracking.
10. Composite steel deck construction: FRC is used in elevated formwork and
composite steel deck construction, such as in airport and shopping center
applications, to provide improved durability and reduced maintenance.
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fiber reinforced concrete advantages
Using fiber-reinforced concrete on a construction project has a few unique
advantages as compared to using regular concrete or reinforcing the
concrete with steel rebar.
1. Early crack prevention. Fibers aid in controlling shrinkage cracking as the
moisture level changes when the water evaporates from the concrete mix.
Fiber-reinforced concrete prevents, or at least heavily reduces, early
cracking right from start.
2. Durability and strength. The addition of fiber increases the overall
durability of the concrete, can help lower corrosion levels, cavitation
damage, and has a higher level of tensile strength when compared to
concrete that is not reinforced.
3. Improved ductility. Fiber-reinforced concrete is less likely to become
damaged by high tensile stress and can increase the amount of weight the
structure is able to carry, especially when microfibers are used.
4. An alternative to rebar. Depending on the structure, fibers can be an
alternative reinforcement material to steel rebar or can be added to steel-
reinforced concrete, lowering the amount of steel necessary. This could
also be beneficial in lowering the overall cost of the project.
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 8
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fiber reinforced concrete disadvantages
While there are many advantages to using fiber-
reinforced concrete, the material has some
downsides as well.
Must be mixed carefully. The fibers used in fiber-
reinforced concrete must be dispersed
meticulously and uniform throughout the
concrete mix. The margin of error for mixing
fiber reinforced concrete can be high if done
improperly. It is important that the fibers don’t
bunch up, which can be monitored, but there is
always the possibility of fibers orienting in a way
that causes the dispersion to be inconsistent.
Cost. Compared to non-reinforced concrete,
fiber-reinforced concrete is more expensive.
However, it should be noted that most concrete
is reinforced in some way, and many projects
require it.
Weight. Adding fibers to concrete will make it
heavier than plain concrete, generally. This adds
weight to the overall structure, meaning an
engineer needs to plan for this weight to
maintain structural integrity.
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The Suggestions for developing fiber-reinforced concrete
1. Experiment with different types and proportions of fibers: Try using different
types of fibers such as steel, glass, synthetic, or natural fibers in varying
proportions to determine the optimal mix for your specific application.
2. Conduct thorough testing: Perform comprehensive testing on the fiber
reinforced concrete to evaluate its strength, durability, and other properties. This
will help you understand how the fibers are affecting the performance of the
concrete and make necessary adjustments.
3. Consider the fiber orientation: Pay attention to the orientation of the fibers in
the concrete mix as it can significantly impact the strength and performance of
the material. Experiment with different orientations to determine the most
effective configuration.
4. Optimize the mix design: Fine-tune the mix design of the fiber reinforced
concrete by adjusting the proportions of cement, aggregates, water, and fibers to
achieve the desired properties. Consider using additives or admixtures to
enhance the performance of the concrete.
5. Implement quality control measures: Establish quality control measures to
ensure consistency and reliability in the production of fiber reinforced concrete.
Monitor the mixing, placement, and curing processes to maintain the desired
properties of the material.
6. Consider environmental impact: Explore sustainable options for fiber
reinforced concrete by using recycled or renewable fibers and incorporating eco-
friendly practices in the production process. Consider the environmental impact
of the material and strive to minimize its carbon footprint.
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REFERENCES
1. ACI Committee 544, "Guide for Specifying, Proportioning, and Production of
Fiber-Reinforced Concrete," American Concrete Institute, 2012.
2.Naaman, A. E., "High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composites: State-
of-the-Art Report," RILEM TC 234-DUC, Springer, 2012.
3. Banthia, N., and Gupta, R., "Influence of Polypropylene Fiber Geometry on
Plastic Shrinkage Cracking in Concrete," Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 31,
No. 3, 2001, pp. 415-422.
4. CEB-FIP Model Code 2010, "Design Code for Concrete Structures," Comité
Euro-International du Béton, 2010.
5. Mobasher, B., "Concrete with Fibers: Recent Developments," Materials and
Structures, Vol. 36, No. 262, 2003, pp. 575-580.
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Thank You !
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