The Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete I – Beams With Polypropylene Fibers

Abstract

This research submits theoretical and experimental realization of shear behavior of RC I-beams with polypropylene fiber with different volume fraction of plastic fiber as additive. The enhance of the sustainability of structural elements through the development of its mechanical performance by adding new materials such as plastic raw materials has become more important in the current period , particularly I- beams that was used in the long spans structure to become more environmentally-friendly. Seven specimens were tested in this study and only the amount of fiber volume fraction was varied. Experimental results showed that the ultimate strengths are increased in range (4.4% to 35.27%) that of control IB-1 for the tested beams containing Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete (PPFRC) with varied amount percentage of fiber material. Crack arrest mechanism of polypropylene fibers, and compressive strength of concrete increased in range (7.42% to 29.3%) that of plain concrete, and improved the tensile response in range (8.36% to 92.7%) that of plain concrete, limited crack propagation. So, improved behavior was obtained.

ANSYS 11, Finite Element models software are used to emulate two tested I-beams. 3D - nonlinear solid elements was utilized to model the concrete, while, the steel reinforcement was demonstrated by spar element. It was found that the general practices of the FE models demonstrated acceptable concurrence with perceptions and information from the experimental tests.