Title:
Relationship of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete to Permeability
Author(s):
G. Vondran and T. Webster
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
108
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
85-98
Keywords:
corrosion; cracking (fracturing); fiber reinforced concretes; permeability; polypropylene fibers; reinforcing steels; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/2175
Date:
8/1/1988
Abstract:
Concretes with and without polypropylene fibers were tested to determine their relationship to permeability. This paper focuses on one type of fiber--bundles of fibrillated polypropylene. The bundles open during concrete mixing and separate into millions of multistrand filament fibers. Tests on permeability, cracking, and steel corrosion show reductions in all three when fibrous concretes are compared with conventional concrete at equal water-cement ratios. A new term, "Perm Point," explains the influence of the fibers on permeability. Subsidence cracking over steel reinforcement increases permeability and accelerates corrosion, whereas polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete reduces this phenomenon. Results suggest an interrelationship exists among permeability, cracking, and steel corrosion.