Influences of Compressive Strength and Casting Position on Flexural Strength of Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Self-Compacting Mortar

Abstract

This article presents the results on the effects of compressive strength, amount of polypropylene fiber and casting position on the flexural strength of polypropylene fiber-reinforced self-compacting mortar in order to identify suitable factors for using such a construction material. The results revealed that the compressive strength slightly improved (around 4%) when the fiber content was 1%. However, compressive strength decreased by 19% when the fiber content increased to 2%. The specimens in the present study had flexural strengths of around 6.0-6.4% of the compressive strengths of the mortar without fiber; flexural strength increased to 24% of compressive strength when the fiber content increased to 2% and when casting was performed at the middle of the beam. The flexural strength of the mortar significantly increased as the fiber content increased; the increase was approximately 33% and 90% as the fiber content increased to 1% and 2% by volume of the mortar. Casting position apparently affected the flexural strength. Pouring at the center of a beam resulted in 20% increase in the flexural strength. Because of the decrease in the compressive strength when the fiber content increased to 2%, polypropylene fiber-reinforced self-compacting mortar might not be suitable for compression members. On the other hand, such a mortar is appropriate for flexural members. The mortar would exhibit the best performance when casting is performed at the center of beam.