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Mechanical and Structural Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2025 | Viewed by 7485

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, Barreiro Technology School, 2839-001 Lavradio, Portugal
Interests: durability of structural materials; rheology of cementitious composites; reliability and numerical analysis; sustainable structures; development of new structural materials; textile reinforced concrete; fiber-reinforced concrete
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The research on fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) goes back a long way. It started in the early 1900s and addressed several types of fibers, enabling the improvement of fiber distribution within the concrete, the enhancement of fiber geometry, the publication of design guides and the broadening of the fields of application. Nevertheless, researchers and engineers continue to explore new fiber materials and mix design strategies to push the boundaries of what FRC can achieve in terms of strength, durability, and sustainability.

This Special Issue of Applied Sciences welcomes studies focusing on the ongoing efforts in the research of the mechanical and structural performance of FRC. This includes novel applications of FRC beyond traditional construction, such as 3D printing, additive manufacturing, and architectural design possibilities; FRC design and performance prediction based on artificial intelligence; comprehensive cost–benefit analyses to evaluate the economic advantages of using FRC; the environmental impact of FRC, considering factors such as embodied energy, carbon footprint, and sustainable sourcing of fibers; fiber reinforced recycled aggregate concrete; validation of FRC performance in real-world applications; contributions to the refinement and development design codes and standards specific to FRC; studies on the effectiveness of blending different fiber types and combinations in FRC and its optimization; and the development of methods to ensure the most efficient fiber orientation within the concrete matrix, amongst others.

Prof. Dr. Rui Neves
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • fiber-reinforced concrete
  • mechanical properties
  • structural behavior
  • tensile strength
  • flexural strength
  • impact resistance
  • ductility
  • toughness
  • fiber types
  • fiber orientation
  • standards and guidelines
  • sustainability
  • fracture mechanics
  • structural integrity
  • cost–benefit analysis

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 5373 KiB  
Article
Strengthening Polymer Concrete with Carbon and Basalt Fibres
by Igbayeva Akzharkyn, Kassym Yelemessov, Dinara Baskanbayeva, Nikita V. Martyushev, Vadim Y. Skeeba, Vladimir Yu. Konyukhov and Tatiana A. Oparina
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(17), 7567; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177567 - 27 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1134
Abstract
To date, composite materials, such as polymer concrete, have found wide application in various industries due to their unique properties combining high strength, resistance to aggressive media and durability. Improving the performance characteristics of polymer concrete is an important task aimed at expanding [...] Read more.
To date, composite materials, such as polymer concrete, have found wide application in various industries due to their unique properties combining high strength, resistance to aggressive media and durability. Improving the performance characteristics of polymer concrete is an important task aimed at expanding the areas of its application. One of the promising methods of increasing the strength of this material is the use of various fillers. In this paper, the effect of fillers, based on carbon and basalt fibres, on the mechanical properties of polymer concrete was investigated. The polymer concrete was made of the following components: rubble stone, sand, quartz flour and polyester resin. During the experimental work, the amount of carbon and basalt fibres in the polymer concrete mixture varied from 0 to 6%. Bending and compressive strength tests showed that the addition of carbon and basalt fibres increased these properties. The highest bending and compressive strengths were achieved when carbon fibre contents were up to 1.5%, while basalt fibres provided the highest strengths in the case of around 2%. These results confirmed that carbon fibres had a higher efficiency in strengthening polymer concrete compared to that of basalt fibres. This could be explained by the fact that carbon fibres had a higher tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, which allowed them to better redistribute loads within the composite material. The fibre length for carbon fibre, which gave the maximum increase in properties, was 10–15 mm. For basalt fibre, the maximum bending strength was reached at 20 mm and compressive strength at 10 mm. Increasing the content of carbon fibre above 2% and basalt fibre above 1.5% did not give further increase in mechanical properties. In conclusion, it could be stated that the use of carbon fibres as fillers offered significant advantages in strengthening polymer concrete, opening up opportunities for its use in more demanding conditions and in a wider range of industrial applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Structural Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete)
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16 pages, 5762 KiB  
Article
An Assessment of the Impact of Locally Recycled Cementitious Replacement Materials on the Strength of the Ultra-High-Performance Concrete
by Thuc V. Ngo, Viet Ba Tran, Bao Hoai Le, Huyen T. Dang, José Matos, Minh Q. Tran and Son N. Dang
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(17), 7484; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177484 - 24 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1250
Abstract
Withstanding extreme events is increasingly a significant challenge for the construction industry. Where civil infrastructures remain using traditional concrete, which has low tensile strength, poor durability, and weak crack resistance, in this regard, ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), with its outstanding mechanical properties and high [...] Read more.
Withstanding extreme events is increasingly a significant challenge for the construction industry. Where civil infrastructures remain using traditional concrete, which has low tensile strength, poor durability, and weak crack resistance, in this regard, ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), with its outstanding mechanical properties and high strength, offers the prospect of wide application. This advanced technology allows for the fabrication of thin and light-dimensional structures to accelerate construction while increasing corrosion resistance to minimize maintenance intervention and extend the service life of the infrastructures. Despite this, UHPC is less eco-friendly due to consuming more cement than the usual material, which requires replacement materials, such as silica fume (SF) and rice husk ash (RHA), which are readily available from other local material production. This study proposes an experimental approach to assess the influence of SF and RHA content on the properties of UHPC. Different SF and RHA compositions will be adjusted to analyze their effects on slump flow, compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, and the stress–strain relationship in UHPC tension testing. Based on the results, the most effective ratio is RHA replacing 50% of the SF in the UHPC mixture. Specialized tensile experiments reveal enhanced tensile strength with judicious RHA incorporation at 5-day and 28-day stages, particularly in initial crack and damage conditions. Stress–strain curves for 5% to 15% RHA samples show increased ductility, indicating that optimal RHA-SF ratios enhance UHPC cracking characteristics. Based on the results, a discussion on the appropriate proportions for utilizing most local materials will be derived, especially for regions of Vietnam. It is evaluated as a feasible and promising solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions threatening global climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Structural Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete)
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20 pages, 17532 KiB  
Article
Development of Sustainable and Innovative Manhole Covers in Fibre-Reinforced Concrete and GFRP Grating
by Joaquim A. O. Barros, Fatemeh Soltanzadeh, Christoph de Sousa and Mónica O. Vera
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 6903; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14166903 - 7 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1501
Abstract
In several countries, manhole covers made of steel are being stolen, with significant economic losses for private and public entities, and even causing accidents. In this work, a new manhole cover is developed using fibre-reinforced cementitious (FRC) materials and glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) [...] Read more.
In several countries, manhole covers made of steel are being stolen, with significant economic losses for private and public entities, and even causing accidents. In this work, a new manhole cover is developed using fibre-reinforced cementitious (FRC) materials and glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) gratings. Since the GFRP gratings are immune to corrosion, and FRC is a relatively low-cost material, manhole covers in FRC reinforced with GFRP gratings are durable and not so appealing to be stolen as those made from steel. An experimental program with manhole cover specimens made with two types of FRC and two types of GFRP gratings was executed by investigating the strength, stiffness and post-cracking tensile capacity of the FRCs and the stiffness and flexural capacity of the two GFRP gratings. It was demonstrated that the developed manhole cover concept can be of class A15 up to D400 according to the recommendations of BS EN 124:1994. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Structural Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete)
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13 pages, 4502 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Fiber Corrosion Influence in the Flexural Performance of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
by Mauro Fernandes and Rui Neves
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(13), 5611; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135611 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 757
Abstract
Fiber corrosion impacts on the mechanical performance of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) have been considered minor. However, this may be true only for ordinary corrosion conditions. For severe corrosion conditions, such as stray currents, the impacts must be investigated. This study addresses [...] Read more.
Fiber corrosion impacts on the mechanical performance of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) have been considered minor. However, this may be true only for ordinary corrosion conditions. For severe corrosion conditions, such as stray currents, the impacts must be investigated. This study addresses the influence of corrosion at different levels, including severe corrosion, on the flexural performance of SFRC. An experimental study focused on a three-point bending test, considering as variables the corrosion level, the fiber content, and the fiber aspect ratio. It was confirmed that corrosion can shift fiber failure from pullout to rupture, and it was found that corrosion can shorten flexural performance by as much as 80%. Therefore, corrosion impacts, in certain conditions, cannot be considered minor; rather, they have to be considered significant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Structural Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete)
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11 pages, 1316 KiB  
Article
Performance of Fly-Ash- and Cement-Bound Granular Mixtures with Dispersed Fiber Reinforcement—A Case Study
by Anna Chomicz-Kowalska and Krzysztof Maciejewski
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(6), 2618; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14062618 - 21 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1006
Abstract
This paper investigates the effects of incorporating dispersed fibrous reinforcement in hydraulically bound granular 0/16-mm mixtures. The evaluated fibrous reinforcement comprised a mixture of polypropylene and alkali-resistant glass fibers in a 1:2 weight ratio. The fibrous reinforcement was added to the mixtures in [...] Read more.
This paper investigates the effects of incorporating dispersed fibrous reinforcement in hydraulically bound granular 0/16-mm mixtures. The evaluated fibrous reinforcement comprised a mixture of polypropylene and alkali-resistant glass fibers in a 1:2 weight ratio. The fibrous reinforcement was added to the mixtures in amounts of 0.05% and 0.10% by weight. The prepared mixtures utilized 1% of CEM II/B-V 32.5 R Portland cement together with 3.5%, 7%, and 14% of fly ash, characterized by a high content of reactive calcium oxide. It was found that the fibrous additives had only a small effect on the maximum dry densities and virtually none on the optimum moisture contents of the mixtures. The use of the fiber mix significantly improved the compressive strength of the reinforced samples resulting after 42 days of curing, with a performance comparable to a reference mixture bound with 8% of Portland cement. The addition of fibrous reinforcement increased the indirect tensile strength of the mixtures by up to 300%, resulting in a performance similar to that of a reference mixture with 5% of Portland cement. It was found that the use of this particular fibrous reinforcement significantly improved the performance of predominantly fly-ash-bound granular mixtures, allowing the reduction in cement content used in this type of material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Structural Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete)
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25 pages, 7064 KiB  
Article
Nonlinear Semi-Numeric and Finite Element Analysis of Three-Point Bending Tests of Notched Polymer Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Prisms
by Žiga Unuk and Milan Kuhta
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(4), 1604; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14041604 - 17 Feb 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1102
Abstract
A nonlinear semi-numeric and finite element analysis of three-point bending tests of notched polymer fiber-reinforced concrete prisms was performed. The computational and experimental results were compared in terms of the load-displacement behavior. The vertical midspan displacement and the crack mouth opening displacement results [...] Read more.
A nonlinear semi-numeric and finite element analysis of three-point bending tests of notched polymer fiber-reinforced concrete prisms was performed. The computational and experimental results were compared in terms of the load-displacement behavior. The vertical midspan displacement and the crack mouth opening displacement results were considered. The nonlinear semi-numeric computational procedure involved the moment-curvature relation, calculated by considering the constitutive material law from the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010, and considered a plastic hinge mechanism to simulate the cracked region behavior. Two sets of tensile mechanical properties were considered for the constitutive material law: back-calculated (by an inverse analysis) tensile strength properties from the experimental results, and tensile strength properties calculated by simplified expressions from the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010. Other mechanical properties were determined by additional compressive tests and standard relations for the dependency of various mechanical properties on the concrete compressive strength. The nonlinear finite element analysis incorporated the Menetrey-Willam material model to simulate the fiber-reinforced concrete behavior. The nonlinear semi-numeric analysis load-displacement results based on the back-calculated tensile strength properties relatively accurately matched with the experimental results, whereas the nonlinear semi-numeric analysis load-displacement results based on tensile strength properties calculated by simplified expressions from the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 and the nonlinear finite element analysis load-displacement results showed certain shortcomings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Structural Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete)
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