Effects of loading rate on the dynamic behavior of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete: an experimental investigation

Wang Youshi; Liu Zhongzhong; Wu Guojun; Zhao Baofeng; Wang Fengxi; Lin Chao; Qiu Xin; Wang Jianjun; Yu Jiawu; Gao Zhipeng

doi:10.70693/cjst.v2i4.2064

Authors

Wang Youshi Yichun University
Liu Zhongzhong China University of Mining and Technology
Wu Guojun China University of Mining and Technology
Zhao Baofeng China Railway Tunnel Group Second Division Co., Ltd
Wang Fengxi China Railway Tunnel Group Second Division Co., Ltd & China Railway No.16 Bureau Group No.5 Engineering Co., Ltd.
Lin Chao Yichun University
Qiu Xin Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wang Jianjun China Railway Tunnel Group Second Division Co., Ltd
Yu Jiawu China Railway Tunnel Group Second Division Co., Ltd
Gao Zhipeng Yichun University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70693/cjst.v2i4.2064

Keywords:

Polypropylene fiber content; Dynamic compressive property; elastic modulus; Toughness index; Loading rate

Abstract

Cyclic dynamic loading accelerates the propagation of initial cracks in concrete, leading to damage and failure. To investigate the effect of polypropylene fiber content on the dynamic compressive and tensile properties of concrete, a self-developed rock-concrete mechanical testing system was employed to examine responses under varying loading rates (10^-5-10^-2/s). The study evaluated elastic modulus, peak strain, toughness index, and related indicators. Results show that both compressive and tensile strengths of fiber-reinforced concrete increase with loading rate and exceed those of plain concrete. Specifically, at a loading rate of 10^-2/s, the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of plain concrete are 61.51 MPa and 1.43 MPa, respectively, while those of fiber-reinforced concrete reach 67.96 MPa and 2.6 MPa. Fiber addition improves peak strain, toughness, and failure mode, significantly enhancing resistance to damage and deformation. This study provides a theoretical basis for the engineering application of fiber-reinforced concrete under dynamic loading and paves the way for future research on related dynamic constitutive models and numerical simulations.

References

[1] Tran V, Dang V, Ho L. Evaluating compressive strength of concrete made with recycled concrete aggregates using machine learning approach[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2022, 323: 126578. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126578

[2] Zhang C, Nerella V, Krishna A, et al. Mix design concepts for 3D printable concrete: A review[J]. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2021, 122: 104155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104155

[3] Alqarni A, Abbas H, Al-Shwikh K, et al. Treatment of recycled concrete aggregate to enhance concrete performance[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2021, 307: 124960. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124960

[4] Panghal H, Kumar A. Enhancing concrete performance: Surface modification of recycled coarse aggregates for sustainable construction[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2024, 411: 134432. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134432

[5] Bahmani H, Mostofinejad D. Microstructure of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)–a review study[J]. Journal of Building Engineering, 2022, 50: 104118. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104118

[6] Lakshmi A, Pandit P, Bhagwat Y, et al. A review on efficiency of polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete[J]. Sustainability Trends and Challenges in Civil Engineering: Select Proceedings of CTCS 2020, 2021: 799-812. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2826-9_50

[7] Liang N, Geng S, Mao J, et al. Investigation on cracking resistance mechanism of basalt-polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete based on SEM test[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2024, 411: 134102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134102

[8] Fredlund D, Xing A, Fredlund M, et al. The relationship of the unsaturated soil shear strength to the soil-water characteristic curve[J]. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 1996, 33: 440–448. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/t96-065

[9] Acosta-Calderon S, Gordillo-Silva P, García-Troncoso N, et al. Comparative evaluation of sisal and polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete properties[J]. Fibers, 2022, 10(4): 31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/fib10040031

[10] Zhang X, Yin R, Chen Y, et al. Experimental study on the axial tensile properties of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete[J]. Scientific Reports, 2023, 13(1): 16383. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43723-5

[11] Blazy J, Blazy R. Polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete and its application in creating architectural forms of public spaces[J]. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 2021, 14: 00549. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00549

[12] Zhou W, Mo J, Xiang S, et al. Impact of elevated temperatures on the mechanical properties and microstructure of waste rubber powder modified polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete[J]. Construction and Building Materials,2023, 392: 131982. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131982

[13] Afroughsabet V, Ozbakkaloglu T. Mechanical and durability properties of high-strength concrete containing steel and polypropylene fibers[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2015, 94: 73-82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.06.051

[14] Cui K, Xu L, Li X, et al. Fatigue life analysis of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete under axial constant-amplitude cyclic compression[J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021, 319: 128610. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128610

[15] Hossain F, Pal A, Ahmed K, et al. Shear behavior of polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete beams containing recycled aggregate and crumb rubber[J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2023, 412: 137370. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137370

[16] Zhou M, He X, Wang H, et al. Mesoscale modeling of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete under split tension using discrete element method[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2023, 404: 133274. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133274

[17] Zhou W, Mo J, Zeng L, et al. Fracture behavior of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete modified by rubber powder exposed to elevated temperatures[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2022, 346: 128439. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128439

[18] Qin Y, Duan M, Ma W, et al. Experimental study on the damage permeability of polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2021, 286: 122592. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122592

[19] Lei L, Dong L, An H, et al. Experimental study of the thermal and dynamic behaviors of polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete[J]. Applied sciences, 2021, 11(22): 10757. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210757

[20] Wang C, Guo J, Li F, et al. Characterization of failure modes and mechanical behavior of micro-fiber-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete under Hopkinson pressure bar and in-situ CT techniques[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2025, 458: 139726. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.139726

[21] Yan S, Dong Q, Chen X, et al. An experimental and numerical study on the hybrid effect of basalt fiber and polypropylene fiber on the impact toughness of fiber reinforced concrete[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2024, 411: 134270. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134270

[22] Ganorkar K, Goel M, Chakraborty T. Specimen size effect and dynamic increase factor for basalt fiber reinforced concrete using split Hopkinson pressure bar[J]. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2021, 33(12): 04021364. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003992