Pre-peak Flexural Performance Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beams

Abstract

 Flexural behavioural understanding of fiber reinforced concrete necessitate the detailed investigation of load-deflection curve. This study provides additional insight on the solo contribution of fibers on bending properties. This paper aims to understand the pre-peak performance of polypropylene fiber and steel fiber reinforced concrete beams under two-point loading. Polypropylene fiber was used at 0.05% dosage by volume and steel fiber at 0.75%. Reinforced concrete beam specimens of 200mm x 300mm x 2100mm dimension were prepared and tested in simply supported condition. Load-deflection curves plotted and studied for pre-peak energy absorption capacity, gradient angle, load and deflections at yield and peak stages. Experimental results indicated an improvement in energy absorption capacity of steel fiber reinforced concrete specimens by 63.44%. Gradient angle became steeper for polypropylene and steel fiber reinforced specimens. Substantial increase of 52.2kN and 50.1kN were observed for yield and ultimate load values due to steel fiber inclusion in controlled concrete.