Evaluating the effect of Forta and Polypropylene fibers on compressive strength, ductility and energy absorption of cylindrical concrete specimens

This study is aimed to examine the effect of Forta and polypropylene fibers on compressive behavior, modulus of elasticity, deformation, crack growth pattern, and absorbing energy of concrete materials. The laboratory specimens were made as cylindrical samples of 150 mm height and 100 mm diameter in two groups and 7 mix designs. Group A consists of two mix designs with 0.1 and 0.15 percentages of macrostetic fibers (Forta) with a water to cement ratio of 0.4. Group B specimens include three mixing designs with 0.2, 0.3 and 0.35 percentages of microsatellite fibers (Polypropylene) and with a water to cement ratio of 0.5. Digital Images Correlation (DIC) method has been used for measurement of displacements and strains in concrete specimens while finite element analysis (Abaqus software) has been used for the validation. The obtained results show that the absorbing energy is directly related to the amount of fiber used in the test. The fibers have a controlling effect on the cracks of the specimens so that they reduce the depth and the length of cracks. However, it should be noted that the number of cracks increased. The use of polypropylene fibers as reinforcing material reduced the compressive strength of the concrete specimens while it increased the ductility of specimens.