ABSTRACT
The effects of collated fibrillated polypropylene fiber on the impact resistance, chloride permeability and abrasion resistance of concrete materials, incorporating different types of pozzolanic materials were assessed experimentally. A factorial design of experiments together with sufficient replications of tests were adopted in order to generate data for powerful statistical analyses based on which reliable conclusions could be derived.
Fibrillated polypropylene fibers were observed to provide concrete materials with improved impact resistance but did not change the permeability characteristics or abrasion resistance of Concrete. The effects of fiber reinforcement and pozzolan addition on impact resistance were found to interact; the combined effects of pozzolans and fibers were found to be more than additive. Fibers were more effective in increasing the impact resistance of concrete materials incorporating pozzolanic materials.
All the conclusions derived in this investigation are based on comprehensive statistical analyses of laboratory test results, accounting for random experimental errors. Levels of confidence are specified for all conclusions.
