Title: Reinforcement of Concrete and Shotcrete using Bi-Component Polyolefin Fibres

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Publication: CIA

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Date: 2/28/2011

Abstract:
Steel fibres have for many years been a classic fibre reinforcement material for concrete applications, primarily due to the high tensile strength and E-Modulus. However, these fibres have some significant disadvantages: They may corrode, which can lead to structural defects or ugly rust traces, theyare stiff which leads to mixing and dosing problems or high equipment abrasion and they are heavy which leads to high transport costs. Furthermore steel production is a high energy demanding process. Low modulus fibres, such as polyolefin based fibres, generally are thought to be less suitable for concrete reinforcement. It can be proven that novel fibre technologies may overcome this drawback. Co extrusion processes allow economic production of novel Bi-Component fibres. The core of such fibres can be optimised according to mechanical performance demands and the sheath can be optimised leading to an excellent bond to the cement matrix. Polyolefin based Bi-Component fibres used for the mechanical reinforcement of concrete have been developed and the reinforcing potential has been demonstrated by practical field tests, where concrete slabs were manufactured and tested using classical four-point bending tests. First test results of field shotcrete applications are also presented in this paper.