Categories of FIBRES in Fiber-reinforced concrete

Fiber-reinforced concrete is formed by blending various other materials with the liquid cement to reinforce the concrete structure. These fibers facilitate the concrete to become powerful as well as withstand severe temperature. They also make the concrete extremely water-tight. There exist four different types of fiber-reinforced concrete which range from steel fiber, glass fiber, synthetic fiber and natural fiber reinforced concrete.

1. Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete: Steel fiber-reinforced concrete mainly refers to an inexpensive and easily applicable form of rebar reinforced concrete. Rebar reinforced concrete consists of steel bars which are placed inside the liquid cement to enhance the longebility of concrete. Steel fiber-reinforced concrete contains thin steel wires combined with the cement. This passes on superior structural strength into concrete as well as curtails cracking and safeguards against severe cold. Steel fiber is frequently applied in combination with rebar or one of the other fiber types.

Glass fiber-reinforced concrete applies fiberglass to reinforce the concrete. The glass fiber facilitates to insulate the concrete other than increasing its strength. Glass fiber safeguards the concrete against cracking in due course of time because of mechanical or thermal stress. Besides, the glass fiber does not intervene with radio signals same as the steel fiber reinforcement performs.

3. Synthetic Fibers: Synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete combines plastic and nylon fibers to make concrete powerful. Besides, the synthetic fibers offer huge advantages over the other fibers. Synthetic fibers are so powerful as compared to steel, but they allow to enhance the pumpability of cement by resisting it from being stucked in the pipes. The synthetic fibers are not expandable in heat or compressed in the cold which in turn stop cracking. Lastly, synthetic fibers facilitate the concrete to be unaffected from spalling in impacts or fires.

4. Natural Fiber Reinforced Concrete: Traditionally, fiber-reinforced concrete utilizes natural fibers like hay or hair. Though these fibers make the concrete stronger but if used for a long time, the strength of the concrete becomes lower. Besides, if the natural fibers are decaying at the time of being blended, then the rot can persist even in the concrete. This ultimately results in concrete crumbling from the inside. Therefore, natural fibers are not now utilized in construction.

Benefits of fibres: Polypropylene and Nylon fibers-

· Enhance mix cohesion and improved pumpability across long distances
· Make freeze-thaw resistance superior
· Enhance resistance to explosive spalling for a rigorous fire
· Make impact resistance power greater
· Improve resistance to plastic shrinkage at the time of curing

Steel fibers:

· Make structural strength better
· Lowered the necessities of steel reinforcement
· Enhance ductility
· Decrease crack widths and check crack widths thus enhance stability
· Enhance impact & abrasion resistance
· Make freeze-thaw resistance power better

Ref.: startitnew.blogspot.in