Flexural Behaviour of Hybrid and Graded Fibre Reinforced Concrete

Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) has become a viable new material used in various constructions such as buildings, large industrial floors, and runways. Based on previous researcher investigations, it is revealed that mixing of randomly spaced discontinuous small fibres helps in arresting the propagation of the micro-cracks and macro-cracks, thereby improves the performance of concrete. The present investigators are more interested in hybridization technology. The hybridization is the process of combining fibres with different characteristics to produce a unique composite material which adopts benefits from each of the individual fibres. In present paper, Hybrid and Graded Fibre Reinforced Concrete is prepared by combining Steel and Basalt fibres in the volume 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% by volume of concrete. To determine optimum hybrid fibre content, compressive strength tests were carried out, i.e. at 1.5% in the proportion of 60:40 as Steel and Basalt. Further, Hybrid and Graded Fibre-Reinforced Concrete cubes, cylinders, and beams were casted for optimum hybrid fibre content. These samples were tested for mechanical properties viz compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and load–deflection behaviour and the results of the above samples were noteworthy when compared to that of Control mix. Hybrid and Graded Fibre Reinforced Concrete beam had an Ultimate Peak-load value and enhanced deflection than the control beam.