Reinforced concrete with synthetic fibers (PET+PP)
for rigid pavement structures
Diego Alexander Torres
Abacol Tejas y Drywall
Especialización en Ingeniería de Pavimentos
Universidad Católica de Colombia
Bogota, Colombia
Ing.diegotorres@hotmail.com
Abstract—This work evaluated in the laboratory, the
mechanical resistance at 28 days under monotonic load that
undergoes a hydraulic concrete when adding contents in weight
of 0%, 2%, 3% and 4% of synthetic fibers of Terephthalate
Polyethylene (PET) and Polypropylene (PP) on the total weight
of the aggregates. From the results obtained, it is concluded that
the residual stress increases as a function of the content of
synthetic fiber compared to conventional concrete or with 0%
addition of synthetic fibers. The presence of fibers can contribute
to the reduction of contraction cracks generated in the first 24
hours of concrete hardening and to the increase in ductility after
rupture. The technique of the addition of synthetic fibers in
concrete is technically feasible by obtaining a reduction in the
routine and periodic maintenance of rigid paving slabs
Keywords— PET, PP, synthetic fibers, rigid pavement
I. INTRODUCTION
The fissures in the caps of tread affects the functional
and structural characteristics of the pavement. The concrete, as
other materials of construction, experiences volumetric
changes (expansion and contraction) due to the solicitations of
load and climatic conditions (dampness and temperature). The
emergence of cracks in concrete plates, happens when the
necessary measurements have not been taken during the
design, construction and maintenance of the pavements. In
cracked conditions the concrete loses significantly its resistant
capacity because of the absence of the monoliths and
continuity of mass to be able to dissipate energy or loads,
diminishing the useful life of the pavement.
A way of returning the capacity of load to the
cracked concrete is throw the use of structural fibers, added to
the concrete in volume or weight on the surface of the
978-1-5386-8131-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
Juan Gabriel Bastidas
Especialización en Ingeniería de Pavimentos
Universidad Católica de Colombia
Bogota, Colombia
jgbastidas@ucatolica.edu.co
Juan Carlos Ruge Cárdenas
Facultad de Ingeniería
Universidad Católica de Colombia
Bogota, Colombia
jcruge@ucatolica.edu.co
aggregates. Diverse studies of hydraulic concrete reinforced
with fibers for pavements have been realized, major details of
the state of knowledge can be consulted (Zheng and Feldman,
1995) [1] (Zollo, 1997) [2] (Arbor, 2000) [3] (Yin et to., 2015)
[4] (Imperial sand grouse - lópez, Source-alonso, Santamaría,
and San-Jose, 2018) [5] (Rooholamini, Hassani, and Aliha,
2018) [6].
Other studies report the reinforcement with fibers in
caps of concrete compacted with rollers [6] obtaining major
mechanical performances compared to the conventional
materials. The fibers originate one jump or load transfer in
thousands of points along the crack, assuming the efforts up to
the final limit of the material. Diverse materials for this end
are used, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP),
acrylic (BREAD), poly-vinilyc alcohol (PVA), Poly-amide
(PA) polyester (PES) and carbon [1]. There are existing
studies that report the incorporation of alternative materials for
the reinforcement of concrete, such as fibers of sisal-grass, of
coconut, among others (Belkadi, Aggoun, Amouri, and
Houari, 2018) [7].
Depending on the chemical composition of the fiber,
special characteristics are obtained in the concrete, principally
originated by the elasticity module of the fiber and the
possible surface interactions between the materials (concrete
fibers).
The Colombian Technical Norm NTC 5981 (ASTM
C1399) [8] indicates the directives in laboratory to determine
the contribution of the use of synthetic structural macro-fibers,
incorporated into the concrete in conditions of post-cracking.
The mechanical parameter of response before the monotonic
load imposed during the test, corresponds to the residual x Stony aggregates. The aggregates used in the
average effort in conditions of post-cracking. manufacture of the concrete, were defined in a way to
satisfy the average intervals for the aggregate
It is relevant to emphasize that the use of macro- thickness and thin specified in the article 500 of the
fibers reduces the cracking caused by the contraction of INVIAS norm (2013 [9]). Granular material was used
plotting and structural loads. The macro-fibers act as materials from the Trituradora Agregados Nacionales SAS,
added in the counterfoil of the concrete, allowing to intercept located in the Km 5 route The Guamo Saldaña in the
which crack it’s generated before the tension, anchored and department of Tolima, Colombia. In the Figure 1 is
attacking the linear deformation that is translated in mitigation presented the granulometric analysis of the thick and
of the contraction. By means of the manufacture of the thin aggregates with the specifications, whereas in
concrete girders with and without addition of fibers, it is Table 2 appear the tests of aggregates
possible to determine the contributions of the synthetic characterization according to the requirements of the
structural macro-fibers of PET+PP given to the concrete in article 500 of INVIAS norm (2013 [9]).
cracked conditions, originating major durability of the
concrete and consequently a larger life span of service. Table 2. Physical characteristics of the stone aggregates.
Specification Gravel Gravel
Characteristic Unity Sand Result
INV 3/4 1/2
II. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY
Maximum
mm E-218
size 38 19
A. Used materials
Maximum
mm E-224
nominal size 25 19
x Synthetic Macrofibers PET+PP. The synthetic passing 0.075
% E-232
mm (#200)
macrofibers used in this project are classified as type 0.1 0.2
III of the ASTM-C-1116-10, of the brand Absorption % E-220
0.74 0.93 1.32 Maximum 4
FIBRAPLAS CONCRETE of Colombian Apparent
g/cm3 E-237
manufacture. The principal characteristics of the density 2.65 2.62 2.62
synthetic macrofibers are presented in the Table 1. Density SSS g/cm3 E-240
2.67 2.65 2.66
Table 1. Characteristics of the macrofibres used. Nominal
g/cm3 E-227
Density 2.70 2.69 2.72
Characteristic Unity Result
Unitary Mass
kg/cm3
Loose 1580
Type macrofiber Synthetic
Unitary Mass
kg/cm3
Average diameter mm 0.6 Tamped 1760
Air volume
Length mm 55 in the loose %
aggregate 40
Amount of fibers per kilogram 36600
Air volume
in the
Frequent dosing kg/m3 3a6 %
compact
Frequent dosing fiber/m 3
183000 aggregate 33
Sand
%
Specific Gravity g/cm3 1.27 equivalent 77 Minimum 60
Deleznable
Maximum resistance to stress MPa 524 %
particles 0.8 Maximum 3
Flexural Strength Gpa 4.8 Light
%
particles 0.1 Maximum 0.5
Wear for
Surface texture maximum anchor marking %
strength 3 Maximum 15

Melting Temperature ºC 260

x Portland Cement. In this study it was used a portland
Aspect ratio 92 cement type produced in Tolima's department in
Colour Metallic gray Colombia, for being the most used cement for
concrete of high resistance for structures of rigid
Absorption % 0
pavement.
Resistance to acid salts High

Alkali resistance High x Sikafluid Additive. In this study there was used an
additive of this type, with the aim to provide greater
Resistance to fungi-mold High
usefullness on the concrete with fiber additions.
Electric conductivity Null

Thermal conductivity Null

 Figure 1. Aggregate gradation for sand and gravel.
B. Experimental methodology
x Design of the concrete mixture. For the design of the
concrete mixture for the typical slabs of rigid
pavements commonly used in Colombia, there were
contemplated the following characteristics (Table3).
x Laboratory tests. The laboratory tests followed the
directives of the Technical Colombian Norm NTC
5981 (ASTM C1399 [8]). At first, the girders were
made of concret with and without addition of the
macrofibers PET+PP according to the characteristics
established in the Table 3 and with a curing time of
28 days. For every made specimen there were
determined four geometric measurements
corresponding to the length, height and width of the
girder.
Later, the girders were submitted to the action of a
monotonic load up to the condition of initial break
(Stage I). Finally, the girders of concrete with
addition of fibers PET+PP were submitted to re-
loading to determine the residual effort in the post-
cracking condition (Stage 2). The Figure 2 presents a
general scheme of the test sequence. To determine
the mechanical parameters of response to the action
of the monotonic load, such as the breaking module
presented in the central third and the axial vertical
deformation, the 1 and 2 expressions were used
respectively, the obtained information was
determined up to the displacement of 1,30 mm.
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Figure 2. Execution of the test: (left) assembly of the concrete beam;
(right) induction of the initial fissure; (below) recharge and
evaluation of the deformation.
Where: MR is the breaking module of the concrete[Kg/cm2],
P the maximum applied load [kg], b is the average width of
the girder in the position of the test, in the fault section [cm], d
the height of the girder in the position of the test, in the fault
section [cm] and L, the distance between the supports for the
application of the load in the equipment [cm].
Where: Hv is the vertical deformation [%] and dv the
vertical displacement [cm].
III. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
A. Mechanical behaviour of the concrete
The values of the maximum load of break and breaking
module in both stages analyzed (break and post-cracking) for
the modified concrete with addition of fibers are presented in
the Figures 3 and 4 respectively. Of the obtained results it is
possible to conclude: i) The maximum load of break and the
breaking module of the concrete increases significantly due to
the presence of the fibers PET+PP.
For the case of the control sample it is not possible to
apply reloads after the break, due to the formation of the fault
plane and separation of the material for the fault crack. Ii) The
increases of the maximum load and breaking module of the
concrete in comparison with to the control sample (0 % of
fiber) it’s approximately 100 %, 130 % and 270 % for addition
of fiber contents of 2 %, 3 % and 4 % respectively. Iii) The
presence of the fibers PET+PP contributes to the increase of
the cutting resistance of the concrete, promoting the contact of
the aggregate particles and increasing the maximum load and
the breaking module in the post-cracking stage.
Figure 3. Maximum load in the initial rupture and post-cracking stage
(left). Flexural Stengh in the initial rupture and post-fissuration stage
(right)
between the maximum load and the respective displacement
(Fig 6). In this respect, is observed that the rigidity of the
concrete with fibers PET+PP increases in linear form in
function of the increase of the percentage of the fibers.
Figure 4. Maximum load after induction of the initial crack.

The Figure 5 describes the behaviour of the breaking

module versus the axial vertical deformation determined by
means of the displacement and the height of the concrete
girders with addition of 2 %, 3 % and 4 % of fiber PET+PP.
The breaking module is obtained from the test load, therefore,
the behavior of the curves loads versus displacement (Fig 4)
and breaking module versus vertical deformation (Fig 6),
presents big similarity.

Figure 5. Rigidity after induction of the initial fissure (left)

Maximum load after induction of the initial fissure (right)

The curves of response over the monotonic load imposed

after the initial cracking of the concrete girders are presented
in the Figures 5 and 7 for fiber contents of PET+PP of 2 %, 3
% and 4 % respectively.

The Figure 4 describes the behaviour of the load versus the

vertical displacement for the concrete samples with addition of
2 %, 3 % and 4 % of fiber PET+PP, for which it is possible to
affirm: i) The addition of fibers produces an increase of the
load after the break, probably for the particle arrangement and
performance of the fibers PET+PP. Ii) The concrete with
addition of 2 % of fibers of PET+PP presents ductile
behaviour after the point of maximum load in the post-
cracking stage. iii) The ductile behaviour of the concrete is
described by the slight increase of residual load in the
displacement. Iv).

The concrete samples with addition of 3 % and 4 % of

fibers PET+PP present greater ductility after the point of
maximum load in the post-cracking stage, contributing to to
the increase of mechanical resistance in the condition of
cracking. V) An estimation of the material rigidity (elastic
module) in the elastic regime can be defined as the relation
 Nevertheless, from the curve of the Figure 5, it is possible
to define the tenacity of the material, which is known as the
area under the curve of behavior, which describes the energy
stored during the post-cracking condition.
The Figure 6 describes the tenacity versus content of fiber
for the concrete with addition of fibers PET+PP in
percentages of 2 %, 3 % and 4 %. Of general form, is
observed that the increase of Fibers PET+PP in the counterfoil
of the concrete drives to the increase of the tenacity of the
material, obtaining greater values of the parameters of
response to the action of the monotonic load (maximum load
and module of break).
[6] Rooholamini, H., Hassani, A., & Aliha, M. R. M. (2018). Evaluating the
effect of macro-synthetic fibre on the mechanical properties of roller-
compacted concrete pavement using response surface methodology.
Construction and Building Materials, 159, 517–529.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.11.002
[7] Belkadi, A. A., Aggoun, S., Amouri, C., & Houari, H. (2018). Effect of
vegetable and synthetic fibers on mechanical performance and durability
of Metakaolin-based mortars. Journal of Adhesion Science and
Technology, 4243, 1–17.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2018.1442647
[8] ASTM C1399/C1399M − 10 Standard Test Method for Obtaining
Average Residual-Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete.
[9] INVIAS Instituto Nacional de Vias – Colombia. Especificaciones
tecnicas (2013).
[10] NTC Norma Técnica Colombiana 121. Especificaciones tecnicas
(2014).

Figure 6. Tenacity after induction of the initial fissure.

IV. CONCLUSIONS

The presence of fibers PET+PE in the counterfoil of the

hydraulic concrete in the proposed form, it’s considered to be
viable from the technical point of view. The presence of the
fibers contributes to the performance of the material’s
mechanical behaviour, increasing the parameters of response
to the monotonic load in the post-cracking stage, such as:
maximum load, breaking module, residual average effort,
rigidity and tenacity depending on the content of fiber added.
Nevertheless, chemical complementary studies must be
realized to understand the interactions between the concrete-
fiber-aggregate surfaces, as well as the evaluation of the
permanence or degradation of the fiber in time. Generally, the
utilization of concrete with fibers can increase the structural
life-span.
REFERENCES
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20(94), 185–210. https://doi.org/0070-6700/95
[2] Zollo, R. F. (1997). Fiber-reinforced Concrete : an Overview after 30
Years of Development, 19, 107–122.
[3] Arbor, A. (2000). WITH, (November), 314–319
[4] Yin, S., Tuladhar, R., Shi, F., Combe, M., Collister, T., & Sivakugan, N.
(2015). Use of macro plastic fibres in concrete : A review.
CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING MATERIALS, 93, 180–188.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.05.105
[5] Ortega-lópez, V., Fuente-alonso, J. A., Santamaría, A., & San-josé, J. T.
(2018). Durability studies on fiber-reinforced EAF slag concrete for
pavements, 163, 471–481.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.12.121