Autogenous and Drying Shrinkage of Fibre Reinforced High-Performance Concrete

Abstract

This paper reports the results of laboratory investigations into the time history of the shrinkage of fibre reinforced high-performance concrete with 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75% by volume of longer IRI 50/30 or shorter IRI 50/16 steel fibres or polypropylene fibres. To allow suitable comparisons, measurements of the shrinkage of a comparable plain concrete were also performed. The results of the measurements of the autogenous shrinkage of the tested composites and of the comparable plain concrete at early and later ages of the specimens are presented. The results of the performed laboratory tests show that the use of steel fibres is more effective for the reduction of early autogenous shrinkage than that of dry polypropylene fibres. For the reduction of later autogenous shrinkage, the polypropylene fibres are almost as effective as the steel fibres. The least drying and total shrinkage of the composites at later ages occur in the case when polypropylene fibres are used.