The effect of viscose fibers on the shrinkage of high-performance concrete

Abstract

High-performance concrete is amodern construction material characterized by excellent mechanical properties and durability; however, it is susceptible to significant autogenous shrinkage, which can lead to crack formation and reduced service life of structures. Acommon measure to limit the development and width of shrinkage cracks is the use of dispersed micro-fiber reinforcement. This research study compares commonly used polypropylene micro-fibers with an environmentally friendly alternative in the form of viscose fibers. These fibers are biodegradable, non-petroleum-based, and have the potential to reduce the ecological impact of the construction industry.
This paper compares the effect of viscose and polypropylene micro-fibers on the autogenous shrinkage of high-performance concrete. Furthermore, it evaluates the influence of these fibers on the workability and strength characteristics of the concrete. The study investigates the optimal fiber dosage to achieve the best possible mechanical properties, while maintaining good workability of the self-compacting concrete and minimizing shrinkage. Additionally, the effect of pre-wetting the viscose fibers to improve their interaction with the cement matrix is verified.