Compressive Strength and Water Absorption Behavior of Self-Curing Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Self-curing (internal curing) of concrete using shrinkage reducing admixture, super-absorbent polymers, and pre-saturated lightweight aggregates are established methods to prevent autogenous shrinkage and self-desiccation. However, using polypropylene fiber addition (PPF), that provides better control of plastic settlement and plastic shrinkage cracking are not found in the literature. This research is carried out to compare concrete with the addition of chemical shrinkage reducing admixture named polyethylene-glycol (PEG 400) with and without polypropylene fibers (PPF). The self-curing fiber reinforced concrete of 30 MPa strength, made of 1.5% PEG400 by weight of cement, and with or without 0.5% PPF by volume of fractions were prepared. The mixes were either exposed to air curing in room temperature or in a controlled temperature of 32°C. The compressive strength and water absorption behaviors are monitored. It was found that the use of PEG400 improved the workability but not the strength, while the addition of PPF has less effect on workability but reduces the strength. These results give better understanding PEG and PPF concrete to the industry.