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Performance of extruded Polyester Fibre Reinforced Concrete

Article  in  Journal of Structural Engineering (Madras) · August 2016

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Journal of Structural Engineering
Vol. 43, No. 3, August - September 2016  pp. 247-257 No. 43-21

Performance of extruded polyester fiber reinforced concrete

Y. M. Ghugal*, and S.V. Naghate*
 Email: ghugal@rediffmail.com

*Department of Applied Mechanics, Government Engineering College, Karad – 415 124 (M.S.), India

Received: 15 July 2015; Accepted: 13 August 2015

The present work deals with the results of experimental investigations on extruded polyester fiber reinforced concrete.
Effect of these fibers on various strengths of concrete are studied. Fiber content varied from 0.5 % to 5 % by weight
of cement. Various strengths considered for investigation are compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile
strength and the bond strength. Cube of size 100 mm for compressive strength, beams of size 500 mm × 100 mm ×
100 mm for flexural strength and cylinders of size 100 mm (diameter) × 200 mm (length) were cast to determine split
tensile strength. All the specimens were water cured up to 7 and 28 days and tested subsequently. The workability was
measured with the slump cone test. The wet and dry densities at 7 and 28 days were obtained. The static and dynamic
moduli of concrete were determined. A comparison of results of extruded polyester fiber reinforced concrete with that
of normal concrete showed the improvements in various strengths. The Poisson’s ratio is found to vary within the
specified limits.

Keywords: Synthetic fibers; polyester fibers; FRC; plasticizer; workability; strengths; elastic constants.

Cement concrete is widely used and popular
construction material, which provides excellent
workability and can be readily molded to any
desired shape that meets the growing industrial and
construction needs. Cement concrete is relatively
strong in compression but weak in tension and tends to
be brittle. The concrete can be used for the construction
of offshore structures, large bridges, high rise building,
low rise commercial structures, seaports and harbor
structures, airport taxiways, floating structures in the
form of high strength concrete, due to its improved
mechanical characteristic and low permeability, as
well as due to higher resistance against mechanically
or chemically penetrating attacks. Incorporation of
discontinuous, discrete, uniformly dispersed fibers in
the matrix of concrete or mortar improves tensile and
flexural strength, ductility, toughness and impact and
fatigue resistance of composite, compared to the plain
concrete.
Synthetic fibers have become more attractive in
recent years for the reinforcement of cementitious
materials. Some fibers, such as polypropylene are
extensively used, with fibers formulated and produced
specifically for reinforcement of mortars and concretes.
The properties of synthetic fibers vary widely, in
particular with respect to the modulus of elasticity.
To increase the strength of the composites, the fibers
must have a modulus of elasticity greater than that
of the matrix. For cementitious materials, where the
modulus of elasticity ranges from about 15 to 30
GPa, this condition is difficult to meet with synthetic
fibers. Therefore attempts have been made to develop
fibers for cement reinforcement with a high modulus
of elasticity accompanied by high strength. However,
both theoretical and applied research have indicated
that, even with low modulus fibers, considerable
improvements can be obtained with respect to the
strain capacity, toughness, impact resistance and crack

Journal of Structural Engineering 247

Vol. 43, No. 3, august - september 2016
control of the fiber reinforced composites1. In many
applications, the enhancement of these properties is
of much greater significance than the modest increase
in flexural strength. The various properties of cement
based composites modified with synthetic fibers are
briefly reviewed here.
The influence of synthetic fibers such as polyester,
polypropylene, polyvinyl alcoholl, polyethylene
terephthalate and carbon fibers alone and/or along with
the combination of metallic fibers on plastic shrinkage
cracking of cement based composites with or without
natural admixtures is studied by several researchers2-8.
Results showed that the polypropylene fibers are
effective in controlling the plastic shrinkage cracking
of mortar and concrete.
Balaguru and Talukdar9 determined the compressive
strength, modulus of rupture, split tensile and shear
strength of concrete with five different fibers including
polyester fibers. The improvement in mechanical
properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete is found
to the best followed by concrete containing polyester,
glass, coir and jute fibers.
Gutierrez et al.10 examined the effect of pozzolonas
such as silica fume (SF), fly ash (FA), and metakaolin
(MK) on strength, permeability and chloride diffusion
properties of Portland cement mortars including
natural and synthetic fibers and showed the improved
performance of fiber reinforced mortar for these
properties.
Nehdi and Ladanchuk11 investigated potential
synergistic effects on self compacting concrete
incorporating different steel and synthetic polymer
macro and micro fibers in various hybrid (single,
binary, and ternary) combinations varying from 0.25
% to 1.0%. The results of this research indicated that
fibers can have rheological and mechanical synergistic
effects, and that optimized fiber combinations can
better increase toughness and flexural strength while
maintaining adequate flow properties for fiber-
reinforced.
Silva et al.12 investigated the durability of recycled
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers embedded
in cement-based materials, fiber-reinforced mortar
specimens. Compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths,
elasticity modulus, and toughness of the specimens
were determined. The results indicated that PET fibers
have no significant influence on mortars strengths,
248 Journal of Structural Engineering
Vol. 43, No. 3, august - september 2016
toughness and elasticity modulus due to the degradation
of PET fibers by alkaline hydrolysis when embedded in
the cement matrix.
Toutanji13 presented a comprehensive study on the
mechanical properties of expansive-cement concrete
containing silica fume and polypropylene fibers.
Properties studied include those of the fresh mix
properties, length change, rapid chloride permeability,
compressive strength, flexural behaviour, and bond
of hardened concrete. The use of 5% silica fume
combined with 0.30 % fiber volume fraction resulted
in optimum mixture design for repair applications from
the standpoints of workability, bond, strength, length
change and permeability.
Toutanji et al.14 studied the permeability and impact
resistance of polypropylene-fiber-reinforced concrete
mixtures containing silica fume with variable design
proportions. Results showed that the incorporation
of polypropylene fibers increased the permeability
of conventional concrete. The addition of silica fume
improved fiber dispersion in the cementitious matrix,
causing a significant reduction in the permeability of the
polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete and improved
the impact resistance of concrete.
Balaguru and Slattum15 examined the durability
of polymeric fibers subjected to alkaline environment
present in concrete and ultra violet (UV) light exposure.
Three polymeric fibers: nylon, polypropylene, and
polyester were used. The test results indicate that nylon
and polypropylene fibers are durable in the alkaline
environment present in concrete. The nylon fibers,
which were light stabilized, were determined to be
stable under UV light exposure. Polypropylene fibers
deteriorated under UV light; the deterioration of the
polypropylene single filament fibers was more rapid
than for the fibrillated fibers.
Bayasi and Celia16 assessed the effect of silica fume
on the properties of synthetic fiber reinforced concrete.
Fibrillated polypropylene fibers and polyethylene-
terephthalate polyester fibers were used. Silica fume
was used as partial replacement of Portland cement on
an equal-mass basis at 0, 5, 10, and 25%. The results
indicate that silica fume is useful in improving the
effectiveness of fiber reinforcement of concrete and
reducing its permeability.
Zhang et al.17 investigated the combined effect of
polypropylene fibers and silica fume on the mechanical
properties of concrete containing fly ash. It is observed
that the compressive strength of composite is decreased
and the splitting tensile strength is improved due to the
addition of polypropylene fibers.
Balaguru and Najm18 examined the performance of
high strength concrete with high fiber volume fraction
of polypropylene fibers for compressive strength,
flexural strength and split tensile strength.
It is observed from the literature that only
conventional fibers are used to study the mechanical
and durability properties of fiber reinforced cement
composites without any modification of geometrical
properties. In this investigation, innovative fibers made
of extruded polyester are used. The surface of the fiber
is corrugated on both sides. It has a double-hook form
by the ends to improve the mechanical characteristics
against pull-out. The fiber geometry is shown Fig. 1.
1.20 mm
0.50 mm thickness
40 mm
Fig. 1  Geometry of extruded polyester fiber
weight of cement was used to acquire desired degree
of workability. Cubes of 100 mm size for compressive
and bond strengths, cylinders of size 100 mm diameter
× 200 mm length for split tensile strength, beams of size
100 mm × 100 mm × 500 mm for flexural strength were
cast incorporating 0 to 5 % fibers at an interval of 0.5
% by weight of cement. For each test, three specimens
were cast with and without fibers. Compaction of
all the specimens was done using a table vibrator to
avoid balling of fibers. All the specimens were water
cured for 7 and 28 days at room temperature and were
tested in surface dry condition on a 1000 kN Universal
Testing Machine (UTM). In all 264 specimens were
cast and tested to evaluate the strength performance
of fiber reinforced concrete. Each value of the results
presented in this study is the average of three test
samples. Details of the experimental investigation on
extruded polyester fibers reinforced concrete (EPFRC)
are given elsewhere21.
Table 1
Physical properties of extruded polyester
fiber
Property Value
Length 40 mm
Width 1.20 mm
Thickness 0.50 mm
Colour Gray

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM Density 1.36 g/m3

Tensile strength 400-800 MPa
Portland pozzolana cement confirming to IS 1489 (Part: Melting point 253oC
1)19 1991 and fine and coarse aggregates confirming Young’s elastic modulus 11.3 kN/mm2
to IS 383-197020 were used. The fineness moduli of Water absorption 0.04%
fine, 12 mm coarse and 20 mm coarse aggregates were Minimum elongation 8%
3.17, 6.87 and 7.4, respectively. The specific gravity Resistance to alkali in concrete Excellent
of sand was 2.63 and that of coarse aggregates was
Effective Diameter 0.874 mm
2.77. The Extruded Polyester fibers having physical
and mechanical material properties as shown in Table 1 Properties of Fresh Concrete
were used.
The M-40 grade of concrete having mix proportions The workability of EPFRC is determined with the help
1: 0.9 : 1.06 : 1.59 i.e., cement: fine aggregate: 12 mm of slump cone test according to IS 1199: 1959 and wet
coarse aggregate: 20 mm aggregate with w/c ratio of 0.37 density is obtained by measuring the weight and volume
was used throughout the experimental investigation. of wet concrete. Results of these properties are shown
Fibers were added in wet state of concrete and again in Table 2. The loss of slump and density of EPFRC
mixed thoroughly. 1.5% sulphonated naphthalene is calculated with respect to the normal concrete. The
formaldehyde polymer based super plasticizer by results of slump, slump loss, wet density, dry density
and dry density loss at 28 days are shown in Table 2.

Journal of Structural Engineering 249

Vol. 43, No. 3, august - september 2016
 Table 2
Wet density, dry density and workability of EPFRC with w/c = 0.37
Dry density Dry density
Fiber volume Workability by Wet density Density loss
Mix Slump loss (%) (Kg/m3) at (Kg/m3) at
fraction Vf (%) slump (mm) (Kg/m3) (%) at 28 days
7 days 28 days
M0 0 60 0 2710 2630 2687 -
M1 0.5 58 3.33 2703 2625 2663 0.90
M2 1.0 56 6.67 2690 2615 2655 1.21
M3 1.5 55 8.33 2682 2600 2637 1.90
M4 2.0 50 16.67 2660 2590 2597 3.47
M5 2.5 52 13.33 2654 2550 2540 5.79
M6 3 50 16.67 2650 2570 2532 6.12
M7 3.5 45 25.00 2645 2535 2541 5.75
M8 4 40 33.33 2640 2560 2530 6.21
M9 4.5 35 41.67 2635 2567 2530 6.21
M10 5 30 50.00 2620 2550 2528 6.29

Tests Conducted on Hardened EPFRC Table 3

A UTM of 1000 kN capacity was used as a test setup Compressive strength of normal and EPFR
concretes, MPa
for carrying out all the tests on hardened concrete. The
tests were carried out for the following properties, viz, % variation in
compressive, flexural, bond, and split tensile strengths. Fibre Compressive compressive
Mix content strength, fcu, MPa strength over
A standard test procedure is followed for each test control concrete
Vf (%)
according to relevant testing standards, and the strength
7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days
performance of hardened EPFRC is studied.
M0 0.0 38.33 49.33 - -
Computation of Various Strengths, crack width and M1 0.5 40.33 50.42 4.32 2.21
fiber pull-out length M2 1.0 42.33 52.33 9.49 6.08
Computation of various strengths was carried out after M3 1.5 27.67 38.33 -28.42 -22.30
destructive testing of normal and EPFRC specimens. M4 2.0 31.00 47.33 -19.81 -4.05
Each test was carried out in triplicate and results were M5 2.5 29.67 43.00 -23.25 -12.83
averaged and recorded. Each value of strength is the M6 3.0 29.67 32.67 -23.25 -33.77
average of three test samples. M7 3.5 31.33 39.67 -18.96 -19.58

Compressive strength test M8 4.0 34.00 42.00 -12.05 -14.86

M9 4.5 34.67 42.67 -10.32 -13.50
Cube compression tests were performed on standard
cubes of size 100 × 100 × 100 mm after 7 days and deflection at mid-span were recorded and are shown in
28 days curing as per IS 516:1959.22 Results of Table 4. The flexure strength was determined by the
compressive strengths are shown in Table 3. following formula:
Flexural strength test Pf L
f cr = (1)
This test was carried out on beam specimens with four bd 2
point bending test as described in IS 516. Arrangement flexural strength was calculated according to IS
for loading of flexure test specimen is shown Fig. 2. 51622 and flexural shear strength was obtained from
Results of maximum flexural load and corresponding the maximum shear force on the cross-section at the

250 Journal of Structural Engineering

Vol. 43, No. 3, august - september 2016
support of the beam. Flexural strength and flexural width was measured with the help of micrometer.
shear strength results are presented Tables 5 and 6. Results of crack width are provided in Table 7. Average
pulled-out and embedded lengths of fiber were obtained
Table 4
by counting the number of fibers protruded out on the
Comparison of maximum flexural load and
deflection failed cross-section of the beam specimen in flexural
test at the age of 28 days. The results of fiber pull-out
Maximum Maximum
Fibre Maximum
central
Maximum
central length are presented in Table 8.
volume flexural flexural
deflection, deflection,
fraction, Vf load, (kN) load, (kN)
(mm) (mm) Table 6
(%) Flexural shear strength of fiber reinforced
7 days 7 days 28 days 28 days
concrete, MPa
0.0 21 0.25 23.50 0.30
0.5 21 0.35 21.60 0.35 Fibre % variation in
Mix Flexural shear
1.0 24 0.40 24.60 0.40 volume flexural shear
design- strength, MPa
fraction strength
1.5 11 0.45 18.20 0.48 ation
Vf (%)
2.0 7 0.48 16.40 0.52 7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days
2.5 12 0.52 16.00 0.58 M0 0.0 1.00 1.09 - -
3.0 9 0.43 19.00 0.38 M1 0.5 1.03 1.10 3.25 1.38
3.5 10 0.42 16.80 0.48 M2 1.0 1.15 1.18 15.00 8.29
4.0 12 0.56 19.00 0.65 M3 1.5 0.53 0.89 -46.67 -18.32
4.5 14.4 0.60 17.80 0.70 M4 2.0 0.33 0.77 -66.63 -28.92
5.0 14 0.70 24.00 0.80 M5 2.5 0.49 0.77 -50.62 -29.40
M6 3.0 0.45 0.78 -99.55 -99.28
Table 5
M7 3.5 0.53 0.80 -47.5 -26.27
Flexural strength of fiber reinforced
concrete, MPa M8 4.0 0.67 0.87 -33.4 -19.72
M9 4.5 0.66 0.85 -34.4 -21.66
Mix. Fiber Flexural strength % variation in
designa- volume N/mm2 flexural strength M10 5.0 0.65 0.88 -35.4 -19.35
tion fraction, 7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days
Vf (%) Table 7
M0 0.0 8.4 9.40 - - Results of location crack at bottom face and
its width at 7 and 28 days
M1 0.5 8.4 8.64 00.00 - 08.08
M2 1.0 9.6 9.84 14.29 04.68 Fibre Location of crack from Width of crack,
content mid span, (mm) (mm)
M3 1.5 4.4 7.28 - 47.62 -22.55
(Vf) %
M4 2.0 2.8 6.56 - 66.67 -30.21 7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days
M5 2.5 4.8 6.40 - 42.86 -31.91 0.0 10 2.34 1.40 1.20
M6 3.0 3.6 7.60 - 57.14 -19.15 0.5 25 0.67 0.50 0.50
M7 3.5 4.0 6.72 - 52.38 -28.51 1.0 30 1.67 1.00 0.90
M8 4.0 4.8 7.60 - 42.86 -19.15 1.5 10 2.83 1.00 1.00
2.0 15 3.57 1.20 0.95
M9 4.5 5.76 7.12 -31.43 -24.25
2.5 20 2.00 0.90 0.90
M10 5.0 5.6 9.60 -33.33 02.13
3.0 80 4.67 0.90 0.80
3.5 10 3.85 0.80 0.85
Location of flexural crack and its width were
obtained after failure of specimens at the age of 7 and 4.0 15 3.67 0.80 0.70
28 days. The location of crack at the bottom fiber (face) 4.5 30 0.50 0.75 0.65
was measured from the middle span of the beam. Crack 5.0 20 0.50 0.70 0.60

Journal of Structural Engineering 251

Vol. 43, No. 3, august - september 2016
 Table 8 embedded in 100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm concrete cube
Average pull out and average embedded were cast and compacted on vibrating table according to
lengths of fiber on the cracked section of ASTM standard C 234-91a.24 The verticality of 12 mm
beam in flexural test at 28 days embedded tor steel rod was maintained by supporting
Mix. Fibre volume Average pull Average system till concrete hardens. The pull out test was carried
designation fraction Vf out length, embedded out at 7 days and 28 days using UTM. The specimen
(%) mm length, mm was held between upper and middle cross heads. The
M0 0.0 0 0 rod was gripped in upper cross head and cube was held
M1 0.5 15.30 24.70 below middle cross head. The tensile load was applied
M2 1.0 14.10 25.90 on steel bar for pull out purpose. The loads and slips
M3 1.5 15.20 24.80 were recorded at every 0.2 kN intervals till failure of
M4 2.0 19.15 20.85 bond between concrete and the bar embedded in the
M5 2.5 16.50 23.50 concrete cube. Slips were measured with the help of
M6 3.0 16.89 23.11 sensitive dial gauge. The specimens were tested upto
M7 3.5 17.11 22.89 failure of bond between the concrete and the embedded
M8 4.0 15.25 24.75
portion of the bar and maximum load and corresponding
slip were noted. From these data maximum work done
M9 4.5 17.05 22.95
and bond strength were obtained. The bond strength
M10 5.0 22.36 17.64
has been computed from the following expression:
P Po
   ft = (3)
π dLe
The results of this test are presented in Table 10.
100mm
Table 9
L/3 L/3 L/3 Split tensile strength of EPFRC, MPa
50mm 50mm 100mm
500mm Fibre Split tensile % variation in split
volume strength, MPa tensile strength
Fig. 2 Arrangement for loading of flexure test specimen Mix fraction
Vf (%) 7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days
Split tensile strength test M0 0.0 2.20 2.33 - -
The cylinder splitting test was used to determine the M1 0.5 1.59 2.48 -27.73 6.43
tensile strength of concrete according to IS 5816-199923. M2 1.0 1.12 1.72 -49.09 -26.18
In this test, compressive line loads are applied along a M3 1.5 1.40 2.31 -36.36 -0.86
vertical symmetrical plane setting up tensile stresses M4 2.0 1.03 2.30 -53.32 -1.29
normal to the plane, which causes the splitting of the M5 2.5 1.38 2.30 -37.27 -1.29
specimen. The formula derived using the theory of M6 3.0 1.66 2.45 -24.77 5.15
elasticity has been used to calculate the tensile strength M7 3.5 2.25 2.32 2.27 -0.42
at the time of splitting. The indirect splitting strength M8 4.0 2.00 2.59 -9.09 11.15
has been computed from the following expression: M9 4.5 1.70 2.09 -22.72 -10.30
2 PL M10 5.0 1.46 1.85 -33.64 -20.60
ft =
π DL (2)
Computation of elastic constants of EPFRC
The results of this strength are given in Table 9.
In the analysis of concrete structures, elastic constants
Bond strength (pull out strength) viz, E, m and G are frequently required and hence their
computations by various methods are presented here.
The specimens with 12 mm diameter tor steel rod Static elastic constants are obtained from formulae

252 Journal of Structural Engineering

Vol. 43, No. 3, august - september 2016
 Table 10
Pull-out Work done, (kN-mm) and bond strength, MPa of EPFRC
Mix Fibre Max. pull out force, kN Max. slip, mm Work done, kN-mm Bond strength, MPa
volume 7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days 7 Days 28 Days
fraction Vf
(%)
M0 0 2.87 4.51 3.5 4.0 10.05 18.02 7.62 11.96
M1 0.5 3.68 5.13 5.5 6.5 20.24 33.35 9.76 13.61
M2 1 3.09 4.59 6.0 5.5 18.52 25.26 8.19 12.19
M3 1.5 2.86 4.41 5.8 5.4 16.61 23.80 7.60 11.70
M4 2 2.33 3.43 4.4 4.5 10.26 15.43 6.19 9.10
M5 2.5 2.52 3.65 4.0 6.0 10.08 21.93 6.69 9.70
M6 3 2.96 3.96 5.9 5.7 17.45 22.55 7.85 10.50
M7 3.5 2.00 2.90 5.0 5.3 9.99 15.38 5.3 7.70
M8 4 1.41 1.80 6.5 7.0 9.18 12.63 3.75 4.79
M9 4.5 1.57 2.73 5.7 5.3 8.96 14.52 4.17 7.27
M10 5 1.30 1.86 4.8 4.7 6.24 8.73 3.45 4.93

Table 11
Static modulus of elasticity of EPFR concrete using IS Code (EIS), Law of Mixture (ELM), dynamic
modulus using electrodynamic method (Ed) and Poison’s ratio (m)
Mix Fibre volume Compressive Flexural Static and dynamic moduli of elasticity, GPa Poisson’s ratio
fraction Vf (%) strength, fcu, strength, ff, EIS ELM Ed µs
MPa MPa
M0 0 49.33 8.88 35.12 35.12 36.39 0.20
M1 0.5 50.42 9.00 35.50 35.11 35.86 0.19
M2 1 52.33 9.20 36.17 35.10 27.50 0.20
M3 1.5 38.33 7.09 30.96 35.10 37.48 0.19
M4 2 47.33 6.17 34.40 35.08 34.60 0.16
M5 2.5 43.00 6.13 32.79 35.08 26.50 0.18
M6 3 32.67 6.27 28.58 35.07 33.92 0.19
M7 3.5 39.67 6.40 31.49 35.06 33.95 0.18
M8 4 42.00 6.97 32.40 35.06 35.55 0.16
M9 4.5 42.67 6.80 32.66 35.04 29.77 0.17
M10 5 41 7.00 32.02 35.01 39.44 0.18

available in the literature and the dynamic elastic (fcu). It is given by

modulus is obtained experimentally using electro-
dynamic tests on beam specimens. Efc = 5000 f cu (4)

Static Modulus of elasticity Modulus of elasticity by Law of Mixture

Modulus of elasticity by I.S code method
The modulus of elasticity (Efc in MPa) of FRC can be
determined using the formula given by IS 456-200025
depending upon the compressive strength of concrete
The modulus of elasticity of FRC can also be calculated
using the law of mixture as suggested by Hannant26 and
Tan et al.27 as given below:
Efc = (1 − η1η 2Vf ) Ec + η1η 2Vf Ef (5)

Journal of Structural Engineering 253

Vol. 43, No. 3, august - september 2016
 In the present investigation the value of fiber
orientation factor is taken equal to 1/6 according to
Cox28 and that of length efficiency factor is taken equal
to 1/3 according to Allen29. Krenchel30 also suggested
the values of fiber orientation factors separately for
1-D aligned, 2-D random in plane and 3-D random
orientations in the matrix. The results of static modulus
of elasticity are given in Table 11.
Dynamic Modulus of elasticity
The dynamic modulus of elasticity is determined on
laboratory beam specimens subjected to longitudinal
vibration at their natural frequency, and therefore known
as the dynamic modulus. The test setup procedure for
the measurement of longitudinal, flexural and torsional
resonant frequencies as used to determine the dynamic
modulus of elasticity is shown Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 Test setup to determine longitudinal frequency
The frequency of excitation is varied until resonance
is obtained at the fundamental (lower) frequency of
specimen (beam); this is indicated by η in Hz. Dynamic
modulus of elasticity is then given by the equation22
   Ed = 4.083 × 10−9η 2 L2 ρ (6)
The values of dynamic modulus obtained in Kg/cm2
are converted into GPa and are presented in Table 11.
Poisson’s ratio: It has been reported by Neville31 that
at the point of initial cracking the strain on the tension
face of a beam in flexure and the lateral tensile strain in
compression specimen in uniaxial compression are of
the same magnitude. Based on this research finding and
using stress strain relation of solid mechanics Neville
has derived formula for Poisson’s ratio as follows:
The tensile strain in a beam at cracking = (tensile stress
at cracking in flexure)/ E
The lateral tensile strain in a compression specimen
254 Journal of Structural Engineering
Vol. 43, No. 3, august - september 2016
when first crack is observed = ( × compressive stress
at cracking)/E
where E is the modulus of elasticity of concrete
over the linear range of deformation and  is the static
Poisson’s ratio of concrete.
Equating the two strains, Poisson’s ratio can be
obtained as:
 = (tensile stress is flexure or flexural strength) /
(compressive stress or strength)
Poisson’s ratio is obtained by this formula based on
the first crack flexural and the first crack compressive
strength of concrete. Mathematically, it is given by the
relation.
f
µ s = cr (7)
f cu
Results static Poisson’s ratios are presented in Table 11.
Notation
 - natural frequency of the fundamental
mode of longitudinal vibration of the
specimen, in cycles per seconds or
Hertz
r - density of beam material in Kg/m3
1, 2 - Fibre orientation and length efficiency
factors
D - is the diameter of cylindrical specimen,
mm
Ec - Modulus of elasticity of plain concrete,
GPa
Ed - dynamic modulus of elasticity in Kg/
cm2
Ef - Modulus of elasticity of fibre, GPa
L - length of the beam in cm
L - Span of beam, mm
L - is the length cylindrical specimen, mm
Le - is the embedded length of bar in
concrete cube, mm
Pf - Central load through two point loads
system, N
PL - is the compressive line load at splitting
failure, kN
Po - is the pull-out force at bond failure,
kN
 Vf - Volume fraction of fibres, %
b - Width of the beam, mm
d - Depth of the beam, mm
d - is the diameter of embedded bar, mm
(12 mm)
fcr - Flexural strength at first crack, MPa
fcu - Compressive strength at first crack,
MPa
fcu - compressive strength of concrete, MPa
fcr - Flexure strength, MPa
Discussion of Results
1. Workability and density: The results of workability
(slump) and density are shown in Table 2. The
slump loss and density loss with fiber factor are
presented in Table 2. The wet density of concrete
is found to decrease with increase in fiber content.
The maximum decrease in wet density up to
3.43% over normal concrete is o bserved at 5% of
fiber content. The density of hardened concrete is
also reduced by 3.14% at 7 days and 6.29% at 28
days compared to that of normal concrete. From
the values of slump loss it can be seen that as the
fiber factor increases the workability decreases
and slump loss increases.
2. Compressive strength: The results of this strength
are shown in Table 3. Each value of strength is
the average of three test samples. The maximum
increase in compressive strength at the age of 7
and 28 days upto 9.49% and 6.08%, respectively,
is observed over the normal concrete both at 1.0%
of fiber volume fraction. It is then decreased
continuously with non linear variation up to 5%
of fiber content. This indicates that as the fibers
content increases the entrapped air content also
increases leading to the decrease in the density
and fiber matrix bond; and ultimately causing
decrease in the compressive strength of concrete.
3. Load-Deflection behavior under Flexure: Table 4
shows the results of load and deflection at 7 and
28 days with respect to the fiber volume faction.
Each value of flexural load and the deflection is
the average of three test samples. The continuous
increase in load and deflection is observed upto
1% of fiber content both at 7 and 28 days. This
shows the improvement in flexural toughness and
ductility due to addition of synthetic fibers.
4. Flexural strength and flexural shear strength:
The results of these strengths are given in Tables
5 and 6. It is observed from the results that the
value of flexural strength increased up to 1% of
fiber content at the age of 7 days and 28 days by
14.29% and 4.68%, respectively, over the normal
concrete and then it decreased continuously with
non linear variation. Similarly, maximum flexural
shear strength is achieved at 1% of Vf for 7 days
and 28 days and then decreased continuously.
The decrease in strength may be attributed to the
entrapped air content due to higher content of
fibers in the concrete.
5. Crack width: Table 7 shows the location of failure
of beams under flexure. The locations of crack at
the bottom face of each beam are measured from
the mid span of the beam. It is observed that all the
beam specimens failed due to flexure alone in the
zone of maximum bending moment. The maximum
crack widths are noted for the plain concrete at 7
and 28 days. The width of crack in FRC specimen
at 5% of fiber content is 50% less than that in
plain concrete. The width of crack decreased
continuously with the increase in fiber content
which shows the effectiveness of these fibers in
developing the crack arresting mechanism in the
concrete. Very good crack control is observed at
5% of fiber content.
6. Pull-out length of fiber: It is important in case of
FRC to have information on the embedded length
or pull-out length of fibers for the analysis of
composites. In the present study, failed sections
of beam under flexure are examined at the age of
28 days to get this information. Results of average
fiber pull-out length are shown in Table 8. The
average pull- out length is increased with increase
in fiber content in general. The greatest pull-out
length is observed at 5% of fiber content compared
to the same at lower fiber contents. This may be
attributed to the loss of bond strength between the
fibers and the matrix at the higher fiber content. It
is also observed during this study that the fibers are
aligned along the length of the beam specimens.
7. Split tensile strength: Results of split tensile
strength are given in Table 9. Each value of
Journal of Structural Engineering 255
Vol. 43, No. 3, august - september 2016
 split tensile strength is the average of three
test samples. The 7 days split tensile strength
decreased continuously upto 3% of fiber content
and increased marginally at the 3.5% of fiber
content by 2.27%. Similar trend is also observed
for 28 days strength. 11.15% increase in split
tensile strength is observed at 4% of fiber content
compared to that of plain concrete.
8. Bond strength: The results of slip, pull-out work
and bond strength are given in Table 10. Each
value of results presented is the average of three
test samples. The maximum pull-out force, pull-
out work and the maximum bond strength are
observed at 0.5% of fiber content for 7 days and
28 days. The maximum value of bond strength at
7 days is 9.76 MPa and 13.61 MPa at 28 days. The
pull-out work and the bond strength decreased
continuously from 1% to 5% of fiber content. This
may be attributed to the decrease in bond strength
between the fibers and the matrix and the effect
of confinement of fiber reinforcement around
reinforcing bar embedded in the concrete.
9. Elastic constants: Elastic constants obtained by
various methods are presented in Table 11. The
highest value of modulus of elasticity determined
using IS code equation is 36.11 GPa and that is
obtained by law of mixture is 35.11 GPa. The
law of mixture predicts the uniform values static
modulus. Maximum value of dynamic modulus
of elasticity obtained experimentally is 39.44
GPa which occurred at the 5% of fiber content.
The dynamic modulus of present fiber reinforced
concrete varies in the range of 26 GPa to 40 GPa.
Poisson’s ratio for this concrete in the present
study varies between 0.16 to 0.20, which generally
varies between the limits 0.11 and 0.19.
Conclusions
In this investigation effects of extruded polyester fibers
on the performance of concrete in green and hardened
states are studied. Fiber content is varied from 0.5% to
5% at an interval of 0.5% by weight of cement. With
the increase in fiber content the workability and wet
density decreased continuously. The improvement in
various strengths such as compressive strength, flexural
strength, split tensile strength and the bond strength is
256 Journal of Structural Engineering
Vol. 43, No. 3, august - september 2016
observed, though not significant. The load deflection
behavior showed the improvement in the ductility of
this concrete composite. Very good crack control for
this concrete composite is observed at 5% of fiber
content. The pull-out length of fiber is observed to vary
with fiber content and its maximum value is observed
at 5% of fiber content. The elastic constants obtained
for this fiber reinforced concrete are found to vary in
the normal range.
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(Discussion on this article must reach the editor before
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Journal of Structural Engineering 257
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