Mitigating Concrete Shrinkage Cracking: Enhancing Performance with Macro Fibres and Modern Additives

The present research investigates the utilization of polypropylene macro fibres, specifically Durus EasyFinish fibers developed by Adfil, for the purpose of mitigating plastic shrinkage cracking and drying shrinkage cracking in structural concrete. The incorporation of synthetic macro-fibres is analysed to ascertain their advantages in preventing plastic shrinkage cracking, a phenomenon that arises when the surface of freshly poured concrete undergoes rapid drying. The study focuses on evaluating the performance of concrete beams during the early stages, with a comprehensive assessment of their strength at various time intervals. The residual flexural strength is evaluated by conducting 3-point bending tests following the EN14651 standard. To assess the efficacy of synthetic macro-fibres, testing methodologies such as plastic shrinkage testing and restraint concrete testing are employed. The obtained results indicate a noteworthy reduction in shrinkage cracks with an increase in fibre dosage, thereby indicating improved physical properties of concrete during the initial stages. Moreover, in order to optimize performance, attention is given to the curing processes and concrete mix design. A shrinkage-reducing agent is introduced as an additional measure to minimize shrinkage potential and subsequently decrease the likelihood of crack formation. Overall, this research conclusively establishes the effectiveness of synthetic macro-fibres in mitigating concrete shrinkage cracking.