Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Materials and Mechanical Properties
Summary
Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) is a composite material in which discrete fibres are dispersed within a cementitious matrix to enhance tensile strength, ductility and crack resistance. Fibres may be metallic, such as steel, or non-metallic, including polypropylene, glass or recycled polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These fibres arrest crack propagation by bridging micro-cracks, redistributing stress and increasing post-crack energy absorption. The mechanical behaviour of FRC is governed by fibre type, geometry, volume fraction and interfacial bonding with the cement matrix. Advances in surface treatments and novel fibre coatings have sought to optimise fibre–matrix adhesion, thereby improving load transfer and toughness without compromising workability. Global research has explored both virgin and recycled fibres to balance performance with sustainability, while numerical and experimental studies have elucidated failure mechanisms under flexural, tensile and impact loading. Applications span precast elements, shotcrete for tunnel linings and industrial flooring, with growing interest in circular-economy solutions that integrate waste plastics into high-performance structural materials.
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Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Materials and Mechanical Properties publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in fiber-reinforced concrete materials and mechanical properties across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC): A cementitious composite with dispersed discrete fibres to improve tensile strength and toughness.
Polypropylene (PP) fibre: A synthetic polymer fibre used in concrete to enhance ductility and reduce crack propagation, resistant to corrosion.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibre: A recycled polymer fibre derived from plastic bottles, employed to impart post-crack toughness and sustainability.
Interfacial bond strength: The measure of adhesion between a fibre’s surface and the cement matrix, critical for load transfer and toughness.
Toughness: The capacity of a material to absorb energy and deform plastically before fracturing, often quantified as area under the stress-strain curve.
Crack bridging: The mechanism by which fibres span across cracks to restrict crack opening and delay failure.
References
- Three sustainable polypropylene surface treatments for the compatibility optimization of PP fibers and cement matrix in fiber-reinforced concrete. Ceramics International (2023).
- State-of-the-Art Review of Capabilities and Limitations of Polymer and Glass Fibers Used for Fiber-Reinforced Concrete. Materials (2021).
- Mechanical Optimization of Concrete with Recycled PET Fibres Based on a Statistical-Experimental Study. Materials (2021).
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