Effect of fibre type and utilisation rate on dimensional stability and frost resistance of pavement mortar mixture

ABSTRACT

In this study the effect of fiber type and utilization ratio on the dimensional stability and durability properties of pavement mortar mixtures was investigated. Three different fibers that are 12 mm long polypropylene, polyamide, and basalt fiber were used at a ratio of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1% of their total volume. Drying-shrinkage, alkali-silica reaction (ASR), sulfate, freeze-thaw, and abrasion resistance of the mixtures were investigated. The findings to emerge from this study are as in the following: first, fiber addition prevented crack growth due to drying shrinkage of cementitious systems. Second, mixtures containing fiber showed higher performance in ASR and freeze-thaw whereas they underperformed in terms of sulfate resistance. These results could be attributed to a dual mechanism; on the one hand, the use of fiber is considered to create an additional void for the products that have the potential to form expansion to escape. On the other hand, the permeability of the mixtures increases as the void volume does due to the use of fiber. The former mechanism is considered to be predominant in ASR and freeze-thaw states. Specifically, mixtures containing basalt fiber with the highest modulus of elasticity outperformed in all properties.

KEYWORDS:

• Dimensional stability properties
• drying-shrinkage
• alkali silica reaction (ASR)
• sulphate attack
• fibrous cementitious system

Acknowledgements

The first author wishes to express their gratefulness to TÜBİTAK for providing them with a 2211A scholarship for their doctoral studies. In addition, the authors would like to acknowledge Polisan Construction Chemicals Company, Polyfibers Company, Atlas 1 Company and Dost Chemistry Industrial Raw Materials Company, Bursa Concrete for their kind assistance in providing the high range water reducing admixture, fibres and cement as well as determining the technical properties of these products.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu: [Grant Number 2211A].

Notes on contributors

Yahya Kaya

Yahya Kaya is Ph.D. student in Department of Civil Engineering, Bursa Uludag University. He received his BS from Yıldız Technical University. His research interests include the concrete technology.

Öznur Biricik

Öznur Biricik is Ph.D. student and Research Assistant in Department of Civil Engineering, Bursa Uludag University. She received her BS from Yıldız Technical University. Her research interests include the rheological behaviour of cementitious systems.

Sultan Husein Bayqra

Sultan Husein Bayqra is Ph.D. student in Department of Civil Engineering, Bursa Uludag University. His research interests include the durability performance of concrete.

Ali Mardani

Ali Mardani is an Associated Professor at Bursa Uludag University Civil Engineering Department, and holds his Ph.D. from Ege University Civil Engineering Department, Materials of Construction Division. His main research experiences are testing of engineering materials, concrete durability and the compatibility between cement and high-range water-reducing admixtures.