Polyolefin Fibres for the Reinforcement of Concrete

Given that concrete has limited tensile strength, it has been necessary to combine its properties with the use of steel bars. This resulted in the arrival of reinforced concrete which was the main solution used in structures in the last century. Partial or even full substitution of steel bars for fibres would not only allow the cost of a structure to be reduced but also provide certain improved properties. Modern fibre‐reinforced concrete (FRC) now permits reduction or substitution of steel bars that has given rise to the commonly named structural FRC. Advances in the plastic industry during the last three decades have allowed the production of macro‐polymer fibres as an alternative to steel fibres due to their chemical stability and lower weights for analogous residual strengths. After 30 years of research and practice, polyolefin‐based macro‐fibres have offered additional advantages such as safe handling, low pump wear and reduction in weight when transported and stored. This chapter provides an overview of the properties and structural capacities of polyolefin fibre‐reinforced concrete (PFRC). Furthermore, the respective codes and test methods are examined. Moreover, the results obtained for structural design and the mechanical properties, found both in the literature and in practice, are supplied and discussed