UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS RESEARCH JOURNAL Volume 21 2015

University of Mauritius, Rduit, Mauritius

Effect of Macro Synthetic Fibres on the Properties Of Concrete

Abdus Salaam Cadersa*

Department of Civil Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
University of Mauritius
Reduit
E-mail: a.cadersa@uom.ac.mu

Sharvesh Ramsurn
Barus Construction Co Ltd
Calebasses
E-mail:
sharvesh.ramsurn@umail.uom.ac.mu

Paper accepted on 17 November 2015

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of two macro synthetic fibres
namely Strux 90/40 and BarChip Macro on the fresh and hardened properties of
concrete and to assess their technical and economic feasibility for use as a
reinforcing material in light-duty industrial slab on ground applications in
Mauritius. Fibre dosages of 2.0 kg/m3, 2.5 kg/m3 and 3.0 kg/m3 of concrete have
been used in this research. Two sets of grade 30 MPa concrete mixes namely
MSFRCA and MSFRCB, were batched, each consisting of three macro synthetic
fibre concrete (MSFRC) mixes with fibre contents of 2.0 kg/m3, 2.5kg/m3 and 3.0
kg/m3, respectively. A grade 30 mix containing 0 kg/m3 of fibre and labelled CM
was used as control for both set of mixes. MSFRC mixes containing Strux 90/40
were labeled MSFRCA and MSFRC mixes containing BarChip Macro were
labeled MSFRCB. Test results showed that the inclusion of macro synthetic
fibres reduced the workability, plastic density and hardened density of normal
concrete. Moreover, at a fibre dosage of 2.5 kg/m3, the 28-day compressive
strength of MSFRCA and MSFRCB increased by at least 13% and 9%
respectively and their flexural strengths by at least 10% and 6% respectively.
Tensile splitting strength of MSFRCA and MSFRCB was increased by at least
15% and 14% respectively. In addition, the MSFRC specimens exhibited a less
brittle failure than the control specimens. At a fibre dosage of 3.0 kg/m3, the
modulus of elasticity of MSFRC mixes were decreased by at least 15% and

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drying shrinkage reduced by at least 24% and 22% for MSFRCA and MSFRCB
respectively. A cost analysis showed that MSFRC was more cost effective as
reinforcement than traditional steel bars in light duty industrial slab on ground
applications in Mauritius. However, the use of a superplasticizer should be
incorporated in the mix design when using fibre dosage higher than 2.5 kg/m3.

Keywords: macro synthetic fibres, concrete, ground slab, fibre dosage

*For correspondences and reprints

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