Effect of Polypropylene Macrofibers on the Flexural Response of SCFRC

This study looks into the effect of polypropylene (PP) macrofibers on the flexural response of self-consolidating fiber-reinforced concrete (SCFRC). PP fibres with a length of 38 mm dosed at 8 kg/m3 were incorporated in different mixes in order to produce prismatic specimens and test them in flexure. The total binder content was maintained at 450 kg/m3 in all cases, and the percentage of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) was varied between 25% and 50%. The water-to-binder ratio (w/b) was varied between 0.40 and 0.45. The compressive strength and the residual flexural strength were evaluated at the age of 56 days. The experimental results from these tests were related to w/b and GGBS content. Predictive equations and response surfaces were obtained for the residual flexural strength parameters by means of multiple linear regression. It was shown that there is a statistically significant synergy between GGBS content and w/b that affects the variability of residual load-bearing capacity of SCFRC in flexure.