Microfiber and Macrofiber Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

To realize the potential of micro- and macrofiber blends in a concrete matrix, a concrete containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or steel microfibers and steel macrofibers was designed using a mixture proportioning method that provides good workability in concretes containing microfibers. This procedure is based on an optimum paste volume fraction determined from the relationship between flow and paste content. The mechanical performance, water permeability of the cracked material, and shrinkage crack resistance of cast concrete were evaluated. In the hybrid concrete, the microfibers delayed the development of macrocracks and so the composite demonstrated greater strength and crack resistance than a similar matrix reinforced with macrofibers only. This influence was less pronounced than was observed with a mortar matrix in a previous study. This is explained by differences in the failure mechanism of the fibers: A stronger fiber-matrix bond resulting from a lower water-to-binder ratio caused the microfibers to break instead of pull out. The macrofibers were also more likely to break in the hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete than in the same matrix containing macrofibers alone—since the microfibers reinforced the matrix, increasing the macrofiber pullout resistance.