Mechanical Properties of Concrete Reinforced with Alternative Fibers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the capability to use alternative fibers and their effectiveness in improving the mechanical properties of concrete. Alternative fibers made of cut stainless steel rebar tie wire (RTW) and shredded west plastic bottles, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been used. The reason behind choosing these materials is the low cost and availability of them, as well as because nowadays the whole world is facing environment pollution problems, where many things which are invented for our life are responsible for polluting the environment due to improper waste management. In total, 135 concrete specimens were produced in two stages and subsequently tested; in the first stage of specimen production, steel (RTW) fibers with volume fractions of 1% and 2% were added to M40 concrete mixture, and in the second stage, plastic (PET) fibers with volume fractions of 0.5% and 0.75% were added to M40 concrete mixture. The results indicate that both alternative fibers used have considerable effects on the mechanical properties of concrete, where the mechanical properties were improved at the different percentages used. In general, the use of alternative steel (RTW) fibers and plastic (PET) fibers show a significant enhancement of concrete mechanical properties.