Flexural Strength and Behavior of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beams

The strength and deformation characteristics of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete ( PFRC) beams were investigated by four-point bending procedures in this paper. Two kinds of polypropylene fibers with different fiber contents (0.2% , 0.5% , 1.0% and 1.5% ) by volume were used in, the beam, which measured 100 × 100 mm with a span of 300 mm. It was found that the strength of the reinforced concrete beams was significantly decreased, whereas the flexural toughness was improved, compared to those unreinforced concrete beams. Geometry properties and volume contents of polypropylene fiber were considered to be important factors for improving the flexural toughness. Moreover, the composite mechanism between polypropylene fiber and concrete was analyzed and discussed.

Anti-cracking Property of EVA-modified Polypropylene Fiber-reinforced Concrete Under Thermal-cooling Cycling Curing

In order to investigate the synergistic effect of re-dispersible powder-ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer(EVA) and polypropylene fiber on the crack resistance of concrete under thermal fatigue loading, the compressive strength, ultimate tensile strength, ultimate tensile strain and tensile modulus of elasticity were tested. In addition, ultrasonic method and scanning electron microscope analysis were used to explain the microstructure mechanism. The results show that polypropylene fiberreinforced concrete presents a better performance on crack resistance than ordinary concrete, and the synergism of EVA and polypropylene fiber can improve the anti-cracking ability of concrete further.

Recipe Development and Mechanical Characterization of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Recycled Polypropylene 3D Printing Filament

Recycled polypropylene filaments for fused filament fabrication were investigated with and without 14 wt% short fibre carbon reinforcements. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the filaments and 3D printed specimens were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and standard tensile testing. It was observed that recycled polypropylene filaments with 14 wt% short carbon fibre reinforcement contained pores that were dispersed throughout the microstructure of the filament. A two-stage filament extrusion process was observed to improve the spatial distribution of carbon fibre reinforcement but did not reduce the pores. Recycled polypropylene filaments without reinforcement extruded at high screw speeds above 20 rpm contained a centreline cavity but no spatially distributed pores. However, this cavity is eliminated when extrusion is carried out at screw speeds below 20 rpm. For 3D printed specimens, interlayer cavities were observed larger for specimens printed from 14 wt% carbon fibre reinforced recycled polypropylene than those printed from unreinforced filaments. The values of tensile strength for the filaments were 21.82 MPa and 24.22 MPa, which reduced to 19.72 MPa and 22.70 MPa, respectively, for 3D printed samples using the filaments. Likewise, the young’s modulus of the filaments was 1208.6 MPa and 1412.7 MPa, which reduced to 961.5 MPa and 1352.3 MPa, respectively, for the 3D printed samples. The percentage elongation at failure for the recycled polypropylene filament was 9.83% but reduced to 3.84% for the samples printed with 14 wt% carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene filaments whose elongation to failure was 6.58%. The SEM observations on the fractured tensile test samples showed interlayer gaps between the printed and the adjacent raster layers. These gaps accounted for the reduction in the mechanical properties of the printed parts.

Study on Abrasion Resistance of Modified Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Cement

Modified polypropylene fiber reinforced cement compos-ites were investigated in their abrasion resistance andsurface morphology. The test results showed the addingof fiber could noticeably improve the abrasion resistanceof composite. The bonding and friction of fibers/cementwere the main contribution to abrasion resistance im-provement, which resulted from the surface morphologyobservation.

DURABILITY PERFORMANCE AND DIMENSIONAL STABILITY OF POLYPROPYLENE FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE

In this study, the durability performance and dimensional stability of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete mixture were investigated. For this purpose, two series of concrete mixtures, including a 0.45 water/cement ratio was prepared both in the absence and presence of fiber. A CEMI 42.5 R type portland cement and crushed limestone aggregate with a maximum particle size of 25 mm were used. In addition to the control mixture without fiber, three different concrete mixtures were prepared by adding polypropylene fiber as 0.4%, 0.8% and 1% of total volume into the mixture. The time-dependent fresh state properties, strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, transport properties, drying shrinkage and freeze-thaw resistance of concrete mixtures, sodium sulfate attack and abrasion were investigated comparatively. Test results demonstrated that utilization of fiber affected the fresh properties of the concrete mixtures negatively. However, the 0.8% fiber-bearing mixture showed the highest performance in terms of durability and dimensional stability. Beyond this utilization ratio, the durability performance of the concrete mixture was negatively affected. The risk of nonhomogeneous dispersion of the fiber in the mixture was relatively high in the excess fiber-bearing mixture. Consequently, with the formation of flocculation in the mixture the void ratio of concrete mixture increased.

Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete under Elevated Temperature

Apart from many advantages,High Strength Concrete(HSC)has disadvantages in terms of brittleness and poor resistance to fire.Various studies suggest that when polypropylene(PP)fibers are uniformly distributed within concrete,they play an active role in improving spalling resistance of concrete when exposed to elevated temperature while having no adverse effect on its mechanical properties.Therefore,there is a necessity to quantify the effect of the addition of polypropylene fibers in terms of the fiber dosage,the strength of the concrete,and the residual mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced concrete under exposure to high temperature from fire.The study was carried out on three water/cement(w/c)ratios(0.47,0.36&0.20)using granite aggregate for determining short term mechanical properties of Polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete in comparison to control mix.The experimental program includes 100×200 mm&150 x 300 mm cylinders with fiber volume of 0.5%,that were subjected to temperatures exposures of 400°C and 600°C for durations of 1 hour.From the results,it was observed that no significant enhancement in mechanical properties such as modulus of elasticity,Poisson’s ratio,split tensile strength,flexural strength,and compressive strength was observed at room temperature and at elevated temperatures.

Reinforcing effects of modified Kevlar~ fiber on the mechanical properties of wood-flour/polypropylene composites

Kevlar fiber （KF） is a synthesized product with strong mechanical properties. We used KF as a reinforcement to improve the mechanical properties of wood-flour/polypropylene （WF/PP） composites. KF was pretreated with NaOH to improve its compatibility with the thermoplastic matrix. Maleated polypropylene （MAPP） was used as a coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion between KF, WF, and PP. Incorporation of KF improved the mechanical properties of WF/PP composites. Treatment of KF with NaOH resulted in further improvement in mechanical strength. Addition of 3% MAPP and 2% hydrolyzed KF （HKF） led to an increment of 93.8% in unnotched impact strength, 17.7% in notched impact strength, 86.8% in flexure strength, 50.8% in flexure modulus, and 94.1% in tensile strength compared to traditional WF/PP composites. Scanning electron microscopy of the cryo-fractured section of WF/PP showed that the HKF surface was rougher than the virgin KF, and the KF was randomly distributed in the composites, which might cause a mechanical interlocking between KF and polypropylene molecules in the composites.

Material Properties and Tensile Behaviors of Polypropylene Geogrid and Geonet for Reinforcement of Soil Structures

The properties and tensile behaviors of polypropylene (PP) geogrids and geonets for reinforcement of soil structures are investigated.Mass per unit area of the geogrids and geonets was weighed using an electronic balance and aperture sizes of the geonets were exactly measured using a computer.Laboratory tests were performed using a small tensile machine capable of monitoring tensile force and displacement.Tensile failure behaviors were described,and tensile index properties such as tensile strength,maximum tensile strain,tensile forces corresponding to different strains in the geogrids and gronets were obtained.The characterization of these indexes is discussed.

Reinforcement of Polypropylene Composite system via Fillers and Compatibilizers

The purpose of this work is to compare the mechanical properties of the different PP/ Filler composites. We considered the effect of treatment of the filler on the adhesion between the filler and the matrix. Modification of polypropylene (PP) with different coated and uncoated fillers is investigated in this paper. Six types of different fillers are used for preparation of filled PP composites. The composite samples were homogenized in a twin screw extruder. The compatibility of PP and fillers focused in this study and modified by using coupling agent. The obtained values of composites were cor- related with mechanical properties.

Experimental study on behaviors of polypropylene fibrous concrete beams

Synthetic fibers made from nylon or polypropylene have gained application when loose and woven into geo textile form although no information on the matrix’s mechanical performance is obtained so that more understanding of their structural contribution to resist cracking can be determined. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation to determine the performance characteristics of concrete reinforced with a polypropylene structural fiber. In this investigation “Fiber mesh” brand of fibers manufactured by SL Concrete System, Tennessee, USA and marketed by M/S Millennium Building System, Inc., Ban-galore, India are used. The lengths of the fibers used were 24 mm. Fiber dosages used were 0.9, 1.8, 2.7 kg/m3. A total of three mixtures, one for each fiber dosage were made. A standard slump cone test was conducted on the fresh concrete mix with and without fibers to determine the workability of the mix. The test program included the evaluation of hardened concrete properties such as compressive, split tensile, modulus of rupture and flexural strengths. The increase in compressive strength is about 36.25%, 26.20%, and 23.75% respectively that of plain concrete. This increase in strength was directly proportional to amount of fibers present in the mix. The increase in flexural strength for Mixes I^III is about 21%, 16.6%, and 23% respectively that of plain concrete specimens. An experimental investigation was also made to study the behaviors of reinforced fibers concrete beams (with longitudinal reinforcements) under two-point loading. The deflection and crack patterns were also studied. The improvements in strength and ductility characteristics were discussed.

Observation and Study of Fracture Behaviour for Fiber Reinforced Cement

Polypropylene, carbon, aramid and polyethylene fibers reinforced cement composites were fabricated respectively. Their fracture behaviors were observed using scanning electron microscopy and the bonding between fiber and matrix was observed in detail.

Study of Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polypropylene Effect on Resin Impregnated Bamboo Fiber Polypropylene Composit

Previously, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and phenolic resin were used for resin impregnated bamboo fiber reinforced PP composites which was manufactures for resin impregnated bamboo fiber with polypropylene (PP). Resin impregnation method can show improvement on tensile strength of fiber. However, to reduce the contact surface area and low inter-facial shear strength (IFSS) between impregnated resin and matrix, using 40% weight fraction of bamboo fiber in PP matrix, PVA impregnated composites with mean flexural and tensile strength 10% higher than untreated composites were produced butphenolic resin impregnated fiber reinforced composition’s mechanical properties were decreased. In this study maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used to increase interfacial shear strength between resin impregnated fiber and PP. With 10% MAPP, IFSS between resin impregnated fiber and PP increased more than 100% and reinforced composites. MAPP with untreated, phenolic resin and PVA impregnated cases showed similar mechanical properties. Yet in water absorption test, the PVA treatment with bamboo/PP composites increased water absorption ratio. But with 10% MAPP, matrix PP water absorption ratio decreased like phenolic resin impregnated fiber reinforced composites. 10% MAPP with resin impregnated bamboo fiber reinforced PP composites can improve IFSS, mechanical properties of composite and can decrease water absorption PVA resin impregnated bamboo fiber reinforced composites.

Performance Evaluation of One-Way Concrete Slabs Reinforced with New Developed GFRP Bars

The incorporation of fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) bars in construction as a replacement to steel bars provides a superior material which is capable to overcome corrosion problems. However, serviceability requirements are important issues to be considered in the design of concrete elements reinforced with glass-FRP (GFRP) bars which are known to have larger deflections and wider crack widths as well as weaker bond compared with steel reinforced concrete. As a solution to this problem, square GFRP bars are proposed. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation that was performed, in which newly developed square and circular GFRP bars were fabricated in the lab. Also, the GFRP bars were tested and used to reinforce concrete slabs. A total of nine full-scale GFRP-reinforced concrete (RC) one-way slabs were constructed, tested and analyzed, considering the most influencing parameters such as the cross sectional shape of GFRP bars, reinforcement ratio, the concrete characteristics strength, and adding polypropylene fibers to the concrete mixture. The test results were showed that, the tested slabs with GFRP square bars improved the deflection and cracking behavior as well as the ultimate load.

CRYSTALLIZATION BEHAVIOR AND MORPHOLOGY OF ONE-STEP REACTION COMPATIBILIZED MICROFIBRILLAR REINFORCED ISOTACTIC POLYPROPYLENE/POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE)(iPP/PET) BLENDS

One-step reaction compatibilized microfibrillar reinforced iPP/PET blends （CMRB） were successfully prepared through a ＂slit extrusion-hot stretching-quenching＂ process. Crystallization behavior and morphology of CMRB were systematically investigated. Scanning electronic microscopy （SEM） observations showed blurry interface of compatibilized common blend （CCB）. The crystallization behavior of neat iPP, CCB, microfibrillar reinforced iPP/PET blend （MRB） and CMRB was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） and polarized optical microscopy （POM）. The increase of crystallization temperature and crystallization rate during nonisothermal crystallization process indicated both PET particles and mierofibrils could serve as nucleating agents and PET microfibrils exhibited higher heterogeneous nucleation ability, which were also vividly revealed by results of POM. Compared with MRB sample, CMRB sample has lower crystallization temperature due to existence of PET microfibrils with smaller aspect ratio and wider distribution. In addition, since in situ compatibilizer tends to stay in the interphase, it could also hinder the diffusion ofiPP molecules to the surface of PET phase, leading to decrease of crystallization rate. Two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray diffi：action （2D-WAXD） was preformed to characterize the crystalline structure of the samples by injection molding, and it was found that well-developed PET microfibrils contained in MRB sample promoted formation of t-phase of/PP.

The damage evolution behavior of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete subjected to sulfate attack based on acoustic emission

To study the damage evolution behavior of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete(PFRC)subjected to sulfate attack,a uniaxial compression test was carried out based on acoustic emission(AE).The effect of sulfate attack relative to time and fiber hybridization were analyzed and the compression damage factor was calculated using a mathematical model.The changes to AE ringing counts during the compression could be divided into compaction,elastic,and AE signal hyperactivity stages.In the initial stage of sulfate attack,the concrete micropores and microcracks were compacted gradually under external load and a corrosion products filling effect,and this corresponded with detection of few AE signals and with concrete compression strength enhancement.With increasing sulfate attack time,AE activity decreased.The cumulative AE ringing counts of PFRC at all corrosion ages were much higher than those for plain concrete.PFRC could still produce AE signals after peak load due to drawing effect of polypropylene fiber.After 150 d of sulfate attack,the cumulative AE ringing counts of plain concrete went down by about an order of magnitude,while that for PFRC remained at a high level.The initial damage factor of hybrid PFRC was-0.042 and-0.056 respectively after 150 d of corrosion,indicating that the advantage of hybrid polypropylene fiber was more obvious than plain concrete and single-doped PFRC.Based on a deterioration equation,the corrosion resistance coefficient of hybrid PFRC would be less than 0.75 after 42 drying-wetting sulfate attack cycles,which was 40%longer than that of plain concrete.

多尺度聚丙烯纤维混凝土弯曲疲劳寿命试验及数值模拟

为研究多尺度聚丙烯纤维混凝土的弯曲疲劳性能,开展基准混凝土、聚丙烯粗纤维混凝土及多尺度聚丙烯纤维混凝土的静载试验及不同应力水平(0.75、0.80、0.85)下的弯曲疲劳试验,建立弯曲疲劳寿命方程,并结合ABAQUS与FE-SAFE软件建立纤维混凝土梁的三点弯曲疲劳有限元模型。结果表明:聚丙烯纤维的掺入,尤其是多尺度聚丙烯纤维混掺显著增强了混凝土基体的抗折、抗疲劳性能。双对数lgS-lgN疲劳方程能够较好地描述多尺度聚丙烯纤维混凝土的应力水平与疲劳寿命的相关性,使用lgS-lgN疲劳方程计算得到200万次循环荷载作用下多尺度聚丙烯纤维混凝土的疲劳强度最高,为3.91 MPa。三组试件疲劳寿命的数值模型预测值均介于实测疲劳寿命的最大值与最小值之间,并接近于疲劳寿命平均值,该模型为多尺度聚丙烯纤维混凝土的疲劳寿命预测提供了理论依据。

聚丙烯纤维加固膨胀土边坡稳定性分析

为提高膨胀土边坡稳定性,改善膨胀土力学性能,使用聚丙烯纤维对膨胀土进行改性。通过直剪试验计算出不同围压、不同聚丙烯纤维掺量改性膨胀土边坡的抗剪强度变化规律,并应用Geostudio软件中的极限平衡法对不同聚丙烯纤维掺量的膨胀土边坡进行分析。研究发现,聚丙烯纤维含量在一定范围内可有效提高膨胀土边坡抗剪强度,掺量0.14%的纤维土在直剪试验中表现出较好的抗剪性能,Geostudio极限平衡法分析结果显示,0.14%纤维土边坡稳定系数为2.431,较素膨胀土边坡稳定性系数提高0.591。建议采用掺量0.14%的纤维土加固膨胀土边坡。

聚丙烯纤维加筋黄土边坡防护原位测试及改进策略

为了给加筋黄土边坡防护技术的大面积推广提供理论依据和参考,对聚丙烯纤维加筋黄土防护边坡的土壤含水率及边坡形态进行了持续6个月的原位测试,结果表明:聚丙烯纤维加筋黄土具有良好的边坡防护效果,加筋黄土防护边坡土壤含水率总体趋于稳定,不同土层土壤含水率平均变异系数比原状边坡降低10.89%,这得益于加筋黄土防护层形态总体维持完整,能够长期抵抗降雨、干湿循环、冻融循环等不利外部环境的持续影响;然而,聚丙烯纤维加筋黄土防护边坡上植被生长缓慢,且防护层与原状土体易分异脱离。提出了对加筋黄土进行保水改良、采用快速植生的多功能层设计和可操作性强的材料物理防脱技术等加筋黄土防护边坡的改进策略。

热氧老化对马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯的结构与性能的影响

以自制的马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯(PP-g-MAH)为研究对象,研究了PP-g-MAH对玻璃纤维增强聚丙烯材料性能的影响以及热氧老化对PP-g-MAH分子结构和性能的影响。结果表明,自制的PP-g-MAH大幅度提高了30%玻纤增强聚丙烯材料的力学性能;随着热氧老化时间的延长,PP-g-MAH的MFR不断增加,对玻璃纤维增强聚丙烯材料的力学性能的提升作用不断降低;通过凝胶色谱仪(GPC)、红外光谱(IR)和马来酸酐(MAH)接枝率测定结果的分析,热氧老化过程没有对PP分子链接枝的马来酸酐产生明显的影响,而是引起了聚丙烯分子链的断裂,造成PP-g-MAH分子量下降,导致自身力学性能下降,使得PP与玻璃纤维之间的界面强度下降,使得PP-g-MAH对玻璃纤维增强聚丙烯材料的力学性能提升作用下降。

玻璃纤维增强聚丙烯/尼龙混杂板材的制备与性能研究

玻璃纤维增强热塑性复合材料具有重复成型、高韧性、高耐久性、可设计、环境友好及可回收利用等优势。为解决由聚丙烯树脂粘度高与尼龙树脂吸水率高引起的复合材料成型工艺与耐久性问题,本项目采用模压工艺研发并制备了玻璃纤维增强聚丙烯/尼龙混杂复合材料板材,研究了混杂模式对于板材力学性能与热性能的影响规律与机理,比较分析了水分子在混杂复合材料内的扩散行为。研究发现,单层层间交替混杂模式板材具有最高的力学性能,拉伸、弯曲和剪切强度最大提升率为132.8%、127.4%和110.4%,归因于混杂板材中两种预浸带在层间粘结-挤压作用下协同受力,材料性能充分发挥;相比之下,五层预浸带层间交替混杂模式板材存在明显薄弱界面层,削弱了板材整体协同受力作用。此外,混杂板材由于聚丙烯树脂憎水性以及逐层交替混杂模式,延缓或阻止了水分子在尼龙树脂内部的吸收和扩散行为,导致混杂板材吸水率大幅下降,这对于提升尼龙树脂基复合材料的耐久性具有重要意义。