Utilization of Artificial Fibres in Construction Industry: A Critical Literature Review

International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) Volume 4 Issue 10 - Oct 2013
ISSN: 2231-5381 http://www.ijettjournal.org Page 4311

Utilization Of Artificial Fibres In Construction
Industry: A Critical Literature Review
Divyeshkumar D. Paradava
1
, Prof. Jayeshkumar Pitroda
2

1
Student of final year M.E. C. E. & M., B.V.M. Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar
2
Assistant Professor & Research Scholar, Civil Engineering Department, B.V.M. Engineering College, Vallabh
Vidyanagar Gujarat India

Abstract: India leading developing country in
world. I n future high strength high performance
concrete required for construction work. So,
utilization of artificial fibres in construction is
required. The fibre like Polypropylene fibre, Steel
fibre and Glass fibre are generally utilized in
mortar and concrete. This research paper focused
on fibre properties affected on concrete and
mortar in the construction sector.

Key words: Steel fibre, Glass fibre, Polypropylene
fibre, Cost, utilization of fibre in construction area.

INTRODUCTION:
Natural fibers have been used for apparel and home
fashion for thousands of years, with the use of wool
going back over 4,000 years. In comparison, the
man-made fiber industry began with the first
commercial production of rayon in 1910.
For those old enough to remember the 50's and
60's, this was when there was a great deal of
technology happening in the man-made fiber
industry. And the technology continues even today.
Microfibers, fibers finer than the finest silk, were
developed in 1989 and lyocell, was developed in
1993. Today, many man-made fibers, including
polyester have been developed into beautiful
fabrics that are being used by major designers.

The concept of using fibers as reinforcement is not
new. Fibers have been used as reinforcement since
ancient times. Historically, horsehair was used
in mortar and straw in mud bricks. In the 1900s,
asbestos fibers were used in concrete. In the 1950s,
the concept of composite materials came into being
and fiber-reinforced concrete was one of the topics
of interest. Once the health risks associated with
asbestos were discovered, there was a need to find
a replacement for the substance in concrete and
other building materials. By the 1960s, steel,
glass (GFRC), and synthetic fibers such as
polypropylene fibers were used in concrete.
Research into new fiber-reinforced concretes
continues today.

CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW:
Dragica Jevti, Dimitrije Zaki and
Aleksandar Savi et at (2008) The
addition of steel fibers in the amount of 60
kg/m3 (0.45% of volume), combined with
admixture type superplasticizer, gave
higher strength, both flexural and
compressive, at all ages. Due to high
mechanical strenghts and presence of
silica fume, these composites can be
successfully used, both in new
construction and in repairs and
reconstruction of already existing
structures.

P. Rathish Kumar and K. Srikanth et at
(2008) There was no considerable change
in compressive strength with optimum
fiber addition but addition of fiber is
effective in split tensile and flexural
strength, with Glass fiber giving higher
strength than Polypropylene fibers. The
post peak strains are more for
polypropylene based specimens as
compared to Glass fiber based specimens,
but they carried lower flexural strength.

Mohammed Ezziane, Laurent Molez,
Raoul Jauberthie and Damien Rangeard
et at (2011) A study has been made of the
mechanical behaviour of standard mortars,
steel fibre mortar, polypropylene fibre
mortar and a hybrid (Steel fibre +
Polypropylene fibre) mortar, subjected to
thermal exposure at 400C, 600C, 800C

and 1000C. The hybrid mortars appear to
offer a good compromise: the
polypropylene fibres reduce internal
pressure that causes cracking during heat
exposure and steel fibres limit cracking
during the heat exposure and under
subsequent mechanical loading.

Ahsan Habib, Razia Begum and
Mohammad Mydul Alam et at (2013)
They tried to show a comparative study on
the mechanical properties of different
fibers containing mortar composites. They
also put emphasize on the fibers content
and fibers length, because these are also
important to contribute the mechanical
strength of mortars similarly as type of
fibers.

Saidi M., Safi B., Benmounah A. and
Aribi C. et at (2011) This study enabled us
to see the influence of glass fibers short,
long or mixed on the resistance and the
mechanical behavior of the specimen of
mortar, including the sequence of various
stacking.

M. Zhu and D.D.L. Chung et at (1997)
Carbon fibers decreased the drying
shrinkage of mortar. The drying shrinkage
from 2 to 24 h is important, though it is
usually neglected. Due to the drying
shrinkage reduction, brick/brick joint
strength was increased by adding carbon
fibers to the mortar. The highest joint
strength was attained at a fiber content of
0.5% by weight of cement.

Sadrmomtazi and A. Fasihi et at (2010)
From the investigation it appeared that
utilizing PP fibers in cement matrix
caused a slight enhancement in
compressive and flexural strength. The
contribution of further increase of the fiber
content to mechanical strength was not
positive. A possible reason for this
observation could be the poor dispersion
of PP fibers in mortar that increases pore
volume and creates more micro defects in
cement matrix. However utilizing high
content of fiber (beyond 0.3%) had no
positive impact on shrinkage strain.
Observation showed that nano-SiO2
apparently decreased the porosity of
hardened cement paste and improved the
microstructure of cement paste in dense
and compact form.

POLYPROPYLENE FIBRE: (PP FIBRE)

Polypropylene is the first stereo regular polymer to
have achieved industrial importance. The fibres
from Polypropylene were introduced to the textile
arena in the 1970s and have become an important
member of the rapidly growing family of synthetic
fibres. Today Polypropylene enjoys a fourth spot
behind the big three fibre classes, i.e. polyester,
nylon and acrylic. However, as opposed to other
commodity fibres, its use as apparel and household
textiles has been rather limited; the bulk of the fibre
produced is used for industrial applications.
VARIOUS PROPERTIES OF
POLYPROPYLENE FIBRE:
TABLE: 1
PROPERTIES OF POLYPROPYLENE FIBRE

Properties Value
Elongation (%) 40 to 100
Abrasion resistance Good
Moisture absorption (%) 0 to 0.05
Softening point (C) 140
Melting point (C) 165
Chemical resistance Generally excellent
Relative density 0.91
Thermal conductivity 6.0 (with air as 1.0)
Electric insulation Excellent
Resistant to mildew, moth Excellent
Source: MD. Jasimuddin mandal college: govt.
College of engineering and textile technology,
serampore (under west bengal university of
technology)
ADVANTAGES OF POLYPROPYLENE
FIBRE:

PP is a light fibre; its relative density (0.91
gm/cm) is the lowest of all synthetic fibres.
It does not absorb moisture. This means the
wet and dry properties of the fibre are
identical. Low moisture regain is not
considered a disadvantage because it helps in
quick transport of moisture as is required in
special applications like babies ever-dry
nappies.
It has excellent chemical resistance. PP fibres
are very resistant to most acids and alkalis.
The thermal conductivity of PP fibre is lower
than that of other fibres and may be used in
applications as thermal wear.
DISADVANTAGES OF POLYPROPYLENE
FIBRE:
Low melting temperature which prevents it
from being ironed like cotton, wool, nylon etc.
Hard to be after manufacturing, except after
substantial treatment and modification.
Poor thermal stability which requires addition
of expensive stabilizers to overcome this
problem.
Poor resilience compared to Nylon.
Creeping due to its low Tem (-15 to -20C),
Poor adhesion to glues and latex.
AREA OF APPLICATION OF
POLYPROPYLENE FIBRE:
Application
Fibre
Grade
Industry
Technical
filters
Staple fibre
5 denier,
needle
punched
non-woven
Wet filtration,
excellent,
chemical
resistance, used in
water, milk, bear,
paints, coatings,
petrochemicals,
Pharmaceutical,
filtration
PP bale wrap
Spun
Bonded PP
Synthetic fibres
PP tapes
High
modulus PP
obtained by
increasing
draw ratio
Construction
material like
asphalt and
concrete

PP
construction /
industrial
fabrics
Filling
grade and
staple fibre
Construction
materials like
asphalt and
concrete
Substrate
fabrics
Non-woven
needle
punched 3-
4 denier
staple fibres
Furniture fabrics
as backing
material for visual
furniture fabrics, it
serves as
reinforcement.
Also used for wall
covering, luggage,
table-clothes,
tarpaulins, and
automobile
Nonelectric
fuses for
initiating
explosives
PP slit film
tapes
Mining industry
Source: MD. Jasimuddin mandal college: govt.
College of engineering and textile technology,
serampore (under west bengal university of
technology)

Fig.1: Polypropylene fibre

STEEL FIBRE:
Steel fibres are short, discrete lengths of steel with
an aspect ratio from about 20 to 100, and with any
of several cross sections. Some steel fibres have
hooked ends to improve resistance to pull out from
a cement-based matrix.
Varies type of steel fibre like Hooker end steel
fibre, Round steel fibre and flat crimped steel fibre
photo show in Fig 3, 4 and 5.
VARIOUS PROPERTIES OF STEEL FIBRE:

TABLE: 3
PROPERTIES OF STEEL FIBRE
Properties Value
Relative density 7.80
Diameter, m (0.001 in.) 100-1000
Tensile strength, MPa 500-2600
Modulus of elasticity, MPa 210,000
Strain at failure, % 0.5-3.5
Source: Adapted from PCA (1991) and ACI
544.1R-96.
ADVANTAGES OF STEEL FIBRE:
Easy user-friendly handling / faster application
Material savings
Less rebound and voids
Excellent ductility and durability
Safer working environment through the use of
shotcreting robots
Easy mixing, Easy gunning
Excellent refractory / Fibre bond
Increased refractory life
Superior resistance to high temperature
corrosion
Consistent strength at all temperatures
Cost saving by means of increased life

DISADVANTAGES OF STEEL FIBRE:
Steel fibres on the surface can affect the optics.
When cutting the slip joints are isolated fibres
torn.
AREA OF APPLICATION OF STEEL
FIBRE:

Fig.2: Application of steel fibre

Fig: 3 Hooked end steel fibre

Fig: 4 Round steel fibre

Tunnel linings

Retaining walls

Piles

Road concrete

Roller-
compacted
concrete

Various types of
foundations

Shotcrete

Precast concrete


Fig: 5 Flat crimped steel fibre
GLASS FIBRE:
Glass fibre also called fibreglass. It is a material
made from extremely fine fibres of glass fibreglass
is a lightweight, extremely strong, and robust
material. Although strength properties are
somewhat lower than carbon fibre and it is less
stiff, the material is typically far less brittle, and the
raw materials are much less expensive. Its bulk
strength and weight properties are also very
favourable when compared to metals, and it can be
easily formed using moulding processes. Glass is
the oldest, and most familiar, performance fibre.
Fibres have been manufactured from glass since the
1930s.
VARIOUS PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT
GLASS FIBRES:
TABLE: 4
PROPERTIES GLASS FIBRES
Properties E-
glass
AR-
glass
S-
glass
Tensile Strength (Gpa) 3.5 3.5 4.6
Modulus (Gpa) 73.5 175 86.8
Elongation (%) 4.8 2 5.4
Density (g/cc) 2.57 2.68 2.46
Refractive Index 1.547 1.561 -
Coefficient of Thermal
Expansion (10
7
/
0
c)

50-
52.0

75.0

23-
27.0
Dielectric Constant RT,
10
10
Hz
6.1-
6.3
- 5.0-
5.1
Source: Moin S. Khan DKTEs Textile and
Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra,
India

ADVANTAGES OF GLASS FIBRES
High Strength
Lightweight
Increased Life
Nonconductive - (Magnetically)
Low Maintenance
Easily Assembled
Corrosion Resistant
Chemical Resistant
Fire Resistant
Nonconductive - (Electrical)
Transparent
Dimensionally Stable

DISADVANTAGES OF GLASS FIBRES
Low modulus (relative to other reinforcing
fibres)
Low fatigue resistance (relative to carbon
fibres)
High weight (relative to other reinforcing
fibres)
Highly abrasive when machined
Susceptibility to stress corrosion
AREA OF APPLICATIONS OF GLASS FIBRE

Aircraft and
Aerospace

Equipment

Constructions

Corrosion
resistant product


Fig: 6 Applications of glass fibre

TYPE OF GLASS FIBRE:
1. A-glass: With regard to its composition, it is
close to window glass. In the Federal Republic of
Germany it is mainly used in the manufacture of
process equipment. Show in fig 7.
2. C-glass: This kind of glass shows better
resistance to chemical impact. Show in fig 8.
3. E-glass: This kind of glass combines the
characteristics of C-glass with very good insulation
for electricity. Show in fig 9.
4. AE-glass: Alkali resistant glass. Show in fig 10.

Fig: 7 A-glass

Fig: 8 C-glass

Fig: 9 E-glass

Tubes

Marin and Marin
accessories

Land
transportation

Protective gears

Farming

Industrial tools

Fig: 10 AE-glass
ADVANTAGES OF FIBRE ADD IN
MORTAR:
Pre-mixed Fibre Reinforced ready to use
cement based mortar for external as well as
internal plaster. Reinforced with cement
compatible polypropylene fibres to reduce
drying shrinkage and other cracks.
Ensures waterproof, reduced crack free plaster
of consistent quality.
Enhanced labour productivity and less rebound
wastage during plastering reduce the cost.
Cracks through better cement hydration. Easy
to mix and apply.
Almost nil-wastage of the material on site.
Minimum supervision. Inventory cost saving.
No multiple raw material sand, cement and
additives sourcing hassle.
APPLICATIONS OF FIBRE ADD IN
MORTAR:
Cement rendering.
Stucco work.
Texture coating.
Machinery base bedding.
Tunnel lining.
Water tank and reservoir construction.
Low cost housing.
Straw bale housing construction.
Mould filling blocks, panels, architectural
profiles etc.
Slab jacking sunken floors, roads etc.
Swimming pool finishing.
Artificial rock, theme parks etc.
Fireproofing

Fig: 11 Applications of Fibre Add in Mortar


RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
FURTHERSTUDIES
find more Artificial fibres in construction
industry is highly recommended at optimum
cost to indicate the strength characteristics of
fibre mix material and performance of building
material as concrete, mortar, bricks etc.
These intelligent fibre are recommended to
make by adding light- and sound-sensitive
materials to synthetic fabrics.
Effect of admixture with the use of fibres in
construction material is to needed to study
Effect of fiber in different temperature is also
recommended to study and compare with
others fibres
To find the economic Artificial fiber and also
utilization of waste product to use in
production of fiber is also recommended

CONCLUSIONS:
Based on the literature review, following
conclusion are obtained:
The addition of steel fibres in the amount of
combined with admixture type super
plasticizer, gave higher strength, both flexural
and compressive, at all ages. Better effects
were observed in flexural strength tests but the
compressive strengths were significantly
increased.
There was no considerable change in
compressive strength with optimum fibre
addition but addition of fibre is effective in
split tensile and flexural strength, with Glass
fibre giving higher strength than
Polypropylene fibres.
A fibre mortar use for repair and rehabilitation
work. It is use in concrete repair work by
grunting.
The fibre content and fibre length, because
these are also important to contribute the
mechanical strength of mortars similarly as a
type of fibre.
The fibre mortar increases the brick bond
strength. Fibre mortar also increases the plaster
strength and decrease the permeability.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Authors thankfully acknowledge to Dr. C. L.
Patel, Chairman, Charutar Vidya Mandal,
Er.V.M.Patel, Hon. Jt. Secretary, Charutar Vidya
Mandal, Dr. F. S. Umrigar, Principal, Prof. J. J.
Bhavsar, Associate Professor and PG (Construction
Engineering and Management) Coordinator,
B.V.M. Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar,
Gujarat, India for their motivations and
infrastructural support to carry out this research.

REFERENCES:

[1] A. Sadrmomtazi and a. Fasihi (2010),"influence of
polypropylene fibres on the performance of nano-
sio
2
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& technology, transaction b: engineering, vol. 34,
no. B4, pp 385-395 printed in the islamic republic of
iran, 2010 shiraz university
[2] ACI committee, State - of - the art report in fibre
reinforced concrete ACI 554 IR 82 Detroit
Mechigan 1982.
[3] Ahsan Habib, Razia Begum, Mohammad Mydul
Alam (2013), "Mechanical Properties of Synthetic
Fibres Reinforced Mortars" International Journal of
Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 4, Issue
4, April 2013 ISSN 2229-5518
[4] Arnon Bentur & Sidney Mindess, Fibre
reinforced cementitious composites
[5] Arnon Bentur & Sidney Mindess, Fibre
reinforced cementitious compositesElsevier
applied science London and Newyork 1990.
[6] ASTM C1018 89, Standard Test Method for
Flexural Toughness and First Crack Strength of
Fibre Reinforced Concrete (Using Beam with Third
Point Loading), 1991 Book of ASTM Standards,
Part 04.02, American Society for Testing and
Materials, Philadelphia, pp.507 513.
[7] C.D. Johnston, Definition and measurement of
flexural toughness parameters for fiber reinforced
concrete Cem. Concr. Agg. 1982.
[8] C.H. Henager , Steel fibrous shotcrete. A
summary of the State of the art concrete Int.:
Design and construction 1981.
[9] Colin D. Johnston, Fiber reinforced cements and
concretes Advances in concrete technology volume
3 Gordon and Breach Science publishes 2001.
[10] Dragica Jevti, Dimitrije Zaki, Aleksandar Savi,
(2008), "Modeling Of Properties Of Fibre
Reinforced Cement Composites" University of
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universities Series: Architecture and Civil
Engineering Vol. 6, No 2, 2008, pp. 165 - 172
[11] Elsevier applied science London and Newyork
1990. ASTM C1018 89, Standard Test Method for

Flexural Toughness and First Crack Strength of
Fibre Reinforced Concrete (Using Beam with Third
Point Loading), 1991 Book of ASTM Standards,
Part 04.02, American Society for Testing and
Materials, Philadelphia, pp.507 513.
[12] J. Endgington, D.J. Hannant & R.I.T. Williams,
Steel fiber reinforced concrete Current paper CP
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Watford 1974. 9. C.D. Johnston, Steel fiber
reinforced mortar and concrete, A review of
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ACI SP 44 Detroit 1974.
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(Standard SF4), Japan Concrete Institute, 1983, pp.
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Jauberthie Damien Rangeard, (2011), "Heat
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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Paradava Divyeshkumar Dhirajlal was born in 1991 in Surat, Gujarat. He
received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from the
LJIET in Ahmadabad, Gujarat Technological University in 2012. At present
he is Final year student of Master`s Degree in Construction Engineering and
Management from Birla Vishwakarma Mahavidyalaya, Gujarat
Technological University. He has a paper published in international journals

Prof. Jayeshkumar R. Pitroda was born in 1977 in Vadodara City. He
received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from the
Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya, Sardar Patel University in 2000. In 2009
he received his Master's Degree in Construction Engineering and
Management from Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya, Sardar Patel
University. He joined Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya Engineering
College as a faculty where he is Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering
Department with a total experience of 12 years in the field of Research,
Designing and education. He is guiding M.E. (Construction Engineering &
Management) Thesis work in the field of Civil/ Construction Engineering. He
has papers published in National Conferences and International Journals.

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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) Volume 4 Issue 10 - Oct 2013

ISSN: 2231-5381 http://www.ijettjournal.org Page 4311

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