Application of ultra cellulose fiber for the enhancement of the durability and shrinkage of cement pastes exposed to normal and aggressive curing conditions

Ultra Cellulose Fibers are hydrophilic fibers which can hold most of their weight water when it is mixed into concrete, after concrete is hardened, these fibers will slowly release this water to unhydrated cement during the critical early phases of curing which assist in more complete hydration, this internal self curing action results in more completely hydrated cement which contributes to more strength development and more control of internal microcracking, particularly when normal curing is not adequate. Also, these fibers can be used easily in ready mixed concrete batch plants and in hot weather environments. The results indicated clear improvements in both the shrinkage and compressive strength of all cement paste mixes contained these fibers in comparison with control ones in both normal and aggressive curing conditions.