FIBER REINFORCED

CONCRETE
Bay 15

1. Max Kipchumba
2. Faith Neema
3. Bob Calleb
4. Ernest Koyoo
What is Fiber
Reinforced
Concrete?

Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) is a technique used to

improve the structural performance and durability of
concrete by adding discrete fibers to the mix.

These fibers can be made out of various materials such as

steel, glass, synthetic polymers and natural fibres.
TYPES OF FIBRES
1. Steel Fibres. Commonly used due to their high strength and durability. They
improve the tensile strength and flexural strength of concrete and help control
crack propagation
2. Glass Fibres. Offer great resistance to corrosion and are a good alternative to
steel since they are light weight and can improve the impact resistance of
concrete.
3. Synthetic Fibres. Synthetic Fibres such as polypropylene and nylon, are known
for their high tensile strength and resistance to alkali and chemicals. They
enhance the toughness and durability of concrete.
4. Natural Fibres. Natural fibres such as jute, coconut and sisal fibres, are
biodegradable and can be used as eco friendly alternatives. They provide good
reinforcement and reduce the brittleness of concrete.
BENEFITS OF FIBRE
REINFORCEMENT

Increased tensile and flexural strength

Enhanced durability
Improved toughness
Ease of construction
Reduce permeability, bleeding and formation of minor
cracks in concrete
What to consider when choosing the
type and dosage reinforcement to
use
1. Desired strength
2. Crack control
3. Durability
4. Cost
Fiber dosages range from 0.3% to 3% by volume of concrete.
STEEL FIBRE REINFORCED
CONCRETE

Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete or SFRC is produced by mixing

a little amount of steel fibers in the elements of concrete.

Steel fibers are regularly prepared by cutting 10-60 mm

length of low carbon steel wires diameter of 0.25-0.75 mm.

Steel fibers tend to cluster together which creates difficulties

in ensuring their uniform random distribution in the concrete.
This problem is overcome by using fiber bundles.
By adding 2 – 3% fibers (by volume) it
is possible to achieve a two to three
times increase in the flexural strength
of the concrete and furthermore
increase in crack resistance, explosion
resistance, and different properties of
the concrete.
Other than round fibers, flat steel
fibers are moreover normal in use.
Flat sheet steel fibers are
prepared by cutting 0.15-0.40 mm
thick plates in widths extending
from 0.25-0.90 mm, furthermore
lengths of 10-60 mm.
 USES IN CONSTRUCTION

Paved roads and Bridge decks tunnel linning

paths
GLASS FIBER
REINFORCED
CONCRETE
Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC)
comprises cement plus sand, and the glass
fibers
Glass fibers are normally produced from 200
– 400 different filaments that are lightly
bonded to create a strand.
They are available in the form of continuous
rovings, chopped strand mats, cranette,
wool, ropes and woven fabric.
Uses of glass fibers in concrete is very limited
because they suffer severe damage and loss
of strength due to abrasion and impact
forces generated during movement of
aggregates in mixer
Small diameter glass fibers are strong
in tension but also very brittle. That’s
why they can not be used in longer
spans.
Glass fibers get corroded due to the
effect of alkali present in the portland
cement. To use glass fibers as micro
reinforcement they need to be
properly treated (epoxy resin
coating).
 USES OF GLASS
FIBER REINFORCED
CONCRETE
Water and drainage works

Bridge and tunnel lining panels

Permanent formwork method of construction

Architectural cladding

Acoustic barriers and screens

 SYNTHETIC FIBER
REINFORCEMENT

synthetic fiber reinforcement imparts toughness, impact

and fatigue resistance to concrete while also reducing
plastic shrinkage cracking.
These fibers are made from synthesized polymers of
small molecules. The compounds that are used to make
these fibers come from raw materials such as petroleum-
based chemicals or petrochemicals.
are more durable than most natural fibers and will readily
pick-up different dyes.
 TYPES OF SYNTHETIC FIBER

micro synthetic
macro synthetic
fiber
fiber
USES OF SYNTHETIC
FIBER REINFORCED
CONCRETE
Floors for industrial, commercial and residential
projects

Footing, foundations and retsining walls

Concrete pipe and precast for pavements

Tunnels and canals

NATURAL
FIBRES

To increase durability, partial

replacement of ordinary
Portland cement by rice husk ash
or silica fume is recommended
A major disadvantage in using natural
fibers is that the fibers will decay over
time and the composite will lose its
strength, resulting in sudden brittle
failure. Hence, proper treatment of the
fibers before mixing may be necessary.
references
Hussain, J. (2023). Fiber reinforced concrete - types, advantages & uses. Retrieved
from https://dailycivil.com/fibre-reinforced-concrete/

(N.d.). Retrieved from https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1989/1226/1226-

008.pdf

Achilleos, C., Hadjimitsis, D., Neocleous, K., Pilakoutas, K., Neophytou, P. O., & Kallis,
S. (2011). Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/3/7/965

Kurpińska, M., Pawelska-Mazur, M., Gu, Y., & Kurpiński, F. (2022). Retrieved from
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-25085-6
Thank you!