Title:
Plastic Shrinkage and Permeability in Polypropylene Reinforced Mortar
Author(s):
M. A. Sanjuan
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
124
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
125-136
Keywords:
absorption; carbon dioxide; diffusion; fresh concretes; fiber reinforced concretes; mortars (material); permeability; plastic shrinkage; polypropylene fibers; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/2287
Date:
9/1/1990
Abstract:
Fibers are added to concrete to improve several of its properties. The ability of polypropylene fibers to modify different characteristics of concrete is controversial. This paper presents results on the influence of adding polypropylene fibers (0.1 to 0.2 percent by volume) on mortar permeability and plastic shrinkage. The influence of adding polypropylene fibers on the early stages of shrinkage is studied with 120 x 15 x 3 cm specimens. These were fabricated in mortar and then held in a chamber with controlled temperature and ventilation. The specimens have a special geometry to enable the shrinkage measurement in the plastic state, and the influence of this on mortar cracking. The variables studied were: water-cement ratio, sand-cement ratio, and fiber content. In addition, the ability of fiber concrete to absorb water and its permeability to CO2 were tested. Water absorption was measured in accordance with French standard NFB 10.502. Carbonation was studied by introducing fiber mortar specimens in a chamber saturated with CO2 and comparing the results with natural carbonation. Results show that the addition of fiber reduces plastic shrinkage when compared with the same type of mortar without fibers. Concerning water absorption, it is reduced when water-cement ratio is about 0.5; however, when the water-cement ratio is higher than 0.5, this behavior is reversed and the fiber mortar is more water absorbent. Accelerated and natural carbonation show that CO2 diffusion increases in mortar with the highest amount of fibers.