Synergistic Interaction of Polypropylene Fibres in Latex Modified High Strength Concrete

Abstract

Synthetic polymer latexes, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex addition in Portland cement has gained wider acceptance in many applications in the construction industry. Polymer-modifi ed cementitious systems seals the pores and micro cracks developed during hardening of the cement matrix, by dispersing a fi lm of polymer phase throughout the concrete. A comprehensive set of experimental test were conducted for studying the compressive properties of SBR latex polymer with crimped polypropylene fi bres at relative volume fractions of 0.1 and 0.3%. The results indicated that the addition of polypropylene fi bre has little effect on the reduction in the workability of concrete composite containing fl y ash and SBR Latex. Increase in polypropylene fi bres upto 0.3% V f showed increase in compressive strength upto 57.5MPa. The SBR concrete without fi bre showed an increase in strength upto 20 % compared to plain concrete. Test results also indicated that the compressive strength was increased in SBR fi bre concrete by means of an ordinary dry curing process than wet curing because of their excellent water retention due to polymer fi lm formation around the cement grains. On the contrary the compressive strength reduces for SBR fi bre concretes under wet curing compared to dry curing.

Strength Development Characteristics of SBR-Modified Cementitious Mixtures for 3-Demensional Concrete Printing

“…These results indicate that the compressive strength increased with increases in the SBR/cement ratio. Similar trends can also be found in other studies [23][24][25].…”

“…These results indicate that the compressive strength increased with increases in the SBR/cement ratio. Similar trends can also be found in other studies [23][24][25]. With the 28-day compressive strength set as a reference (i.e., 100%), the compressive strength development rates of the cast specimens were plotted against the SBR/cement ratios, as shown in Figure 4.…”