structural plastic fibres for reducing reinforcement in concrete
structural plastic fibres for reducing reinforcement in concrete
(OP)
Hi all!
Am a 27 year old engineer with a major precast firm in the uk.We are currently looking at ways of reducing the need for steel reinforcement in our products by use of structural plastic fibres. Unfortunately I have next to no experience in this field and was therefore looking for a few pointers if possible? From where I'm standing at the moment it looks like the main areas would be in crack control at corners, possibly in our retaining walls and crash barriers-is this a reasonable assumption?
Can structural plastic fibres also reduce the nead for shear reinforcement - presumably if so this would depend upon alignment?
Any help would be gratefully appreciated!
Thanks!
Am a 27 year old engineer with a major precast firm in the uk.We are currently looking at ways of reducing the need for steel reinforcement in our products by use of structural plastic fibres. Unfortunately I have next to no experience in this field and was therefore looking for a few pointers if possible? From where I'm standing at the moment it looks like the main areas would be in crack control at corners, possibly in our retaining walls and crash barriers-is this a reasonable assumption?
Can structural plastic fibres also reduce the nead for shear reinforcement - presumably if so this would depend upon alignment?
Any help would be gratefully appreciated!
Thanks!





RE: structural plastic fibres for reducing reinforcement in concrete
The way it works is that when you add fiber, you increase the strength properties of concrete and provide more resistance to bending and shear. The amount and type of fiber will dictate the actual properties. In that context, you might reduce your computed reinforcement slightly because of the increase in concrete strength properties, but there is not a one-for-one replacement scheme substituting fiber for rebar.
RE: structural plastic fibres for reducing reinforcement in concrete
Anyway, I need some help from the guys in the USA - have various results from different manufacturers to ASTM C1018 where toughness indicies are calculated. Is there a set size of section / loading area for these tests, as the graphs only show load against mid-span deflection, therefore if sections sizes vary there is no way for me to compare results.
Thanks - all comments much appreciated!
RE: structural plastic fibres for reducing reinforcement in concrete
Request that the supplier provide you with materials testing that goes beyond the toughness index. Get the actual compressive and flexural strength test results if you can.