Synthetic Polymer Fibre Reinforced Concrete Slabs and their Effects on the Mechanical Properties: A Review

Concrete is a ubiquitous construction used extensively in structural engineering due to its high compressive strength and low cost. Concrete is an inherently brittle material, this lowers its strength and strain capacity. However, concrete has a number of shortcomings such as shrinkage and cracking, very low tensile and flexural strength, high brittleness and low shock resistance. The use of synthetic polymeric fibers within concrete helps to alleviate some of these shortcomings in concrete slabs. Furthermore, synthetic polymeric fibbers are lightweight and help prevent the development and growth of cracks in concrete slabs. Synthetic polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamides and olefins have been used in concrete slabs with some success. The workability and strength of fiber reinforced concrete slabs is dependent on the fiber loading and fiber aspect ratio. The purpose of this study is to review synthetic polymer fiber reinforced slabs and their effects on the mechanical properties.