What is Fibre Reinforcement Concrete?

Fibre Reinforcement Concrete is a mixture of concrete plus fibre. The fibre in concrete helps to hold together but, doesn’t give strength. fibres help concrete in gaining strength after cracking.

Fibre reinforcement is most commonly seen in shotcrete, however it can also be seen in normal concrete. Fiber-reinforced normal concrete is often used for on-ground floors and pavements, but it may also be utilized for a variety of building sections (beams, pillars, foundations, and so on), either alone or in conjunction with hand-tied rebars.

Hand-tied rebar seems to be more expensive than concrete reinforced with fibres (often steel, glass, or plastic fibres) or cellulose polymer fibre. The fiber’s form, size, and length are all crucial. A thin and short fibre, such as a short, hair-shaped glass fibre, is only beneficial during the initial hours after the concrete is poured (its role is to decrease cracking while the concrete stiffens), but it will not raise the tensile strength of the concrete. A normal-size fibre will boost the tensile strength of the concrete.

PURPOSE

  1. It helps the concrete to hold together.
  2. minimizes the crack forming
  3. Increase the toughness of concrete

Fiber reinforcement is most commonly used to supplement or partially replace primary rebar, although it can also be constructed to replace current rebar in specific circumstances.

Fibres are used in thin concrete or glass members.

For example,

  1. Thin concrete slabs
  2. Window glass

Which is better among rebar and fibre? I say undoubtfully, its rebar.

As we know, concrete is strong in compression and weak in tension. By providing rebar in the tension zone of concrete, It helps in gaining strength.

RCC

Fig.1 – Cement Concrete with steel

Does anyone have doubt that Can we use both rebar and fibre in concrete?

Yes, by using both rebar and fibre, concrete attains more strength. To clarify, Rebar is for major loads and Fibres keep cracks small.

By, Placing fibres randomly in concrete, During cracking some fibres will help and some may not. Therefore, it is tough to predict how fibres will perform.

USES

  1. Acts as reinforcement
  2. Reduces damage in the fire

Types

  1. Micro Fibre and
  2. Macro Fibre

Microfibre is a flexible material with a size of less than half an inch or 12.5mm. It is used in fresh concrete therefore, it helps the concrete to prevent from cracking. Microfibre is used in concrete at a rate of 1.2kg/cum.

Macrofibre is a stiff material with a size of more than half an inch or 12.5mm. It is used to strengthen the concrete from beginning days to years. Macro fibres can be steel, glass, plastic etc. Macrofibre is used in concrete at a rate of 2.4kg/cum.

Moreover, Steel is the strongest frequently accessible fibre and comes in a variety of lengths and forms (30 to 80 mm in Europe) (end-hooks). Steel fibres should only be applied to surfaces that can withstand or prevent corrosion and rust stains. A steel-fiber surface may be coated with different materials in various instances.

Glass fibre is less costly and more corrosion-resistant than steel, although it is less ductile.

In Conclusion, Fibre Reinforcement Concrete is used in runways, taxiways, aprons, seawalls, dock areas, parking and loading ramps. Moreover, FIbres increases the concrete cost by 10-15%.

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Also Read: What is Dowel Bar?

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