Polypropylene fibre reinforced cement cladding panels : an investigation

Abstract

A rapidly growing fibre-reinforced concrete technology involves the use of synthetic fibres. The addition of discontinuous fibres to a cementitious matrix can provide enhanced impact and fatigue resistance. A synthetic fibre type that is available locally for the use in the construction industry is Polypropylene. Available in two main forms; Monofilament and Fibrillated, this type of synthetic fibre is relatively cheap, and has some unique properties which make it ideal for mixing with concrete. This study aimed to explore the use of Polypropylene fibres in the production of thin cement cladding panels. Cladding panels on the outer skin of a building are widely used both for aesthetic purposes and for the protection against the weather elements. Two kinds of Polypropylene were investigated, namely Monofilament and Fibrillated, added at three different fibre volume percentages, 0.1 %, 0.55%, and 1 %. Seven mixes were produced, including a control mix, and for each mix three panels were cast. The panels had a large surface area measuring 800 mm x 800 mm, and a maximum thickness of 20 mm. Three tests were identified for the panels; impact testing, flexural testing, and fastener punch through testing. For each test, the results obtained for each set of panels were compared and analysed. It was found that fibre reinforcement provided improved ductility in the panels. The increase in fibre volume percentage enhanced this and other properties, such as energy absorption and fracture toughness. From all tests, it was concluded that the best performing mix was the one having Polypropylene Fibrillated fibres at 1 % by volume since an increase in tensile strength was also achieved in this set of panels.