EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF FLEXURAL AND CRACKING BEHAVIOR OF POLYPROPYLENE FIBER REINFORCED LIGHTWEIGHT  CONCRETE BEAMS

I.G.A. Neny Purnawirati; Fajar Surya Herlambang

doi:10.21009/jpensil.v15i2.65864

Authors

I.G.A. Neny Purnawirati Politeknik Negeri Bali, Kampus Bukit Jimbaran, Kuta Selatan, Badung, Bali 80364, Indonesia
Fajar Surya Herlambang Politeknik Negeri Semarang, Jl. Prof. H. Soedarto, S.H. Tembalang, Semarang 50275, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21009/jpensil.v15i2.65864

Keywords:

polypropylene fiber, lightweight concrete, flexural behavior, crack width, structural lightweight concrete beam

Abstract

This study experimentally evaluates the effect of polypropylene fiber
incorporation on the flexural performance and cracking behavior of
structural lightweight concrete beams. The lightweight concrete was
produced using locally available lightweight aggregates with a target
compressive strength of 25 MPa and a water-cement ratio of 0.41.
Polypropylene fibers were added at a dosage of 0.45% by volume of
concrete. The experimental program included compressive strength,
splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and crack width tests. A total
of 10 cylindrical specimens and 6 reinforced lightweight concrete beam
specimens measuring 200 × 300 × 1800 mm were prepared and tested.
All specimens were water-cured for 28 days before testing. The results
showed that polypropylene fibers improved the mechanical and cracking
performance of structural lightweight concrete. The compressive
strength increased from 23.73 MPa to 24.81 MPa, while the splitting
tensile strength increased from 2.09 MPa to 2.31 MPa. In addition, the
flexural strength increased from 3.28 MPa to 3.51 MPa. The addition of
polypropylene fibers also reduced the maximum crack width from 0.75
mm to 0.47 mm and produced narrower and more uniformly distributed
cracks along the beam span, indicating improved crack resistance and
post-cracking behavior. The novelty of this study lies in the experimental
investigation of crack propagation and flexural behavior of structural
lightweight concrete beams incorporating polypropylene fibers using
locally sourced lightweight aggregates under three-point loading
conditions.

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