STUDIES ON MECHANICAL AND DURABILITY PROPERTIES OF ALKALI-RESISTANT GLASS FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE

Abstract

Alkali-Resistant Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (AR-GFRC) has emerged as a promising composite material that enhances the performance of conventional concrete, particularly in structural and infrastructure applications. This study investigates the influence of varying percentages of alkali-resistant glass fibers on the mechanical and durability properties of concrete. AR glass fibers are incorporated at different volume fractions to evaluate improvements in compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural behavior, and impact resistance compared to plain concrete. The research further assesses durability characteristics including water absorption, shrinkage, resistance to chloride ion penetration, and performance under cyclic wetting–drying and freeze–thaw conditioning. Experimental results indicate that the inclusion of AR glass fibers significantly improves tensile and flexural strengths, mitigating crack propagation and enhancing post-cracking behavior. Durability tests demonstrate reduced permeability and improved resistance to environmental degradation, suggesting enhanced long-term performance in aggressive conditions. The findings underscore the potential of AR-GFRC as a high-performance construction material, advocating for optimized fiber content to achieve balanced mechanical and durability benefits. This research contributes to sustainable infrastructure solutions by improving concrete resilience in severe service environments.