Enhanced Acoustic Properties of a Novel Prepacked Aggregates Concrete Reinforced with Waste Polypropylene Fibers

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the performance of prepacked aggregates fiber-reinforced concrete (PAFRC) with adequate acoustic characteristics for various applications. PAFRC is a newly developed concrete made by arranging and packing aggregates and short fibers in predetermined formworks, then inserting a grout mixture into the voids amongst the aggregate particles using a pump or gravity mechanism. After a one-year curing period, the effects of utilizing waste polypropylene (PP) fibers on the strength and acoustic characteristics of PAFRC mixes were examined. Compressive and tensile strengths, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), sound absorption, and transmission loss were investigated on plain concrete and PAFRC mixtures comprising 0–1% PP fibers. The results revealed that the use of PP fibers slightly decreased the compressive strength and UPV of PAFRC mixes. The inclusion of waste PP fibers also significantly increased the tensile strength and sound insulation coefficient of PAFRC mixes, especially at higher fiber dosages. In the medium-to-high frequency ranges, more than 60% acoustic absorption coefficient was observed, indicating that PAFRC specimens have good sound insulation properties.

Designing prepacked aggregate concrete for improved mechanical properties and its field application in constructing steel tube concrete

“…Besides, PAC has low shrinkage but higher brittleness compared to conventional concrete, while steel pipes have good ductility 25 , 26 . Combining prepacked aggregate concrete with steel pipe concrete structures can be expected to improve the brittleness of prepacked aggregate concrete and solve the problem of volume shrinkage causing voids in steel pipe concrete components, realizing the development of prepacked aggregate concrete in structural engineering 27 – 29 . However, there is limited research in this area.…”

A Comprehensive Review of Types, Properties, Treatment Methods and Application of Plant Fibers in Construction and Building Materials

“…The manmade and synthetic fibers have been studied by various researchers for their possible applications as construction and building materials [6][7][8][9][10]. Alyousef et al [11] investigated waste-polypropylene-fiber-reinforced concrete for its possible application as an insulation material. However, natural fibers have some unique advantages as compared to manmade and synthetic fibers, such as low cost, environmental friendliness, and abundant resources [12,13].…”

Development of GGBS-Based Geopolymer Concrete Incorporated with Polypropylene Fibers as Sustainable Materials

“…Waste fibers have also been incorporated into concrete to obtain sustainable concrete and improved properties. Waste PP fibers have been reported to enhance the tensile strength and sound insulation coefficient of Prepacked Aggregates Fiber Reinforced Concrete (PAFRC) while waste metalized film food packaging fibers in concrete have shown improved tensile strength and reduced carbonation and drying shrinkage [31,32]. Hybrid fibers such as the combination of steel fibers and polypropylene fibers have also resulted in improved properties, but their cost effectiveness remains questionable [33].…”