Title: Performance of Polypropylene-Reinforced Cement Sheeting Elements

Author(s): J.G. Keer and A. Thorne

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 81

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 213-232

Keywords: asbestos; cladding; deflection; fiber reinforced concretes; flexural strength; loads (forces);performance; polypropylene fibers; research; tests.

DOI: 10.14359/6452

Date: 11/1/1984

Abstract:
A polypropylene-reinforced cement composite has been developed which is considered to be an economic alternative to asbestos-cement. A major application of the composite will be as corrugated sheeting for roofing and cladding. Comparative tests on the behaviour of full-size polypropylene reinforced cement corrugated sheet and asbestos-cement sheet under simulated uniformly distributed loads are reported. The results indicate that the new sheeting of similar profile to a typical asbestos-cement sheet profile and tested over the span recommended for the asbestos-cement profile can sustain the loads in International Standards recommendations and remain serviceable. Furthermore, the quasiductile behaviour of the sheeting and consequent excellent impact resistance are considerable advantages over the brittle behaviour of asbestos-cement.