Title:
Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete with Natural and Synthetic Fibers
Author(s):
Tahar Tioua, Abdelouahed Kriker, Abderrahim Bali, Gonzalo Barluenga and Mourad Behim
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
320
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
24.1-24.10
Keywords:
date palm fiber, flowability, hardened properties, polypropylene fiber, self-compacting concrete
DOI:
10.14359/51701062
Date:
8/1/2017
Abstract:
An experimental study was carried out to assess the effect of low volumetric fractions of short natural date palm fibers (DPF) compared to polypropylene fibers (PPF) on self-compacting concrete (SCC) flowability and hardened properties. Fibers can reduce concrete shrinkage cracking at early age and enhance other hardened concrete properties, although reducing other characteristics as SCC flowability. The use of DPF instead of PPF
has two advantages: their use in construction provides new outlets for low cost agricultural resources, and the
valorization of natural fibers allows to reduce environmental impacts, since these are renewable raw materials and need little energy to be produced. Slump flow, V-funnel and L box tests were used to assess flowability. Mechanical and physical properties, including compressive and flexural strength, were also measured. It was found that DPF can successfully replace PPF although DPF reduced SCC flowability slightly more than PPF, but produced similar effects in SCC hardened properties.