Benefits and Properties of Fiber Reinforced Concrete
Due to drying shrinkage and other reasons of volume changes, micro cracks occurs in traditional concrete prior to loading.
At the time of loading the structure, the micro cracks are expanded and dispersed. Inelastic deformation in concrete primarily occurs for the formation of such micro cracks.
To get rid of such issue, small fibers, which are placed narrowly and distributed consistently, are added to the concrete. With the inclusion of fibers in concrete, the static and dynamic properties of the concrete is enhanced significantly.
These fibers have strong resistance strength against development of cracks through a crack detention mechanism. These fibers also make the tensile strength and ductility of concrete better.
Also read : HOW CONCRETE BECOMES STRONGER WITH ADDITION OF REBAR
Fiber Reinforced concrete (FRC) is termed as a composite material that includes concrete and discontinues, discrete, homogeneously dispersed fine fibers. The continuous meshes, woven fabrics and long wires or rods are not taken as discrete fibers.
The addition of fibers in concrete and shotcrete normally enhances the various properties of the material which range from ductility, flexural strength, toughness impact resistance and fatigue strength. The compressive strength is also slightly improved. The type and the amount of enhancement is based on the type, size, strength as well as configuration and amount of fiber.
The characteristics of the fiber reinforced concrete are influenced by the following factors :-
- Volume of fibers
- Aspect ratio of fibers
- Orientation of fibers
- Size of course aggregates
- Workability and compaction of concrete
- Mixing