Journals Proceedings

Abstract

Concrete, as a material has low tensile strength, limited ductility and little resistance to cracking. Several attempts have been made by researchers across the globe to improve these properties through the addition of fibres, such as steel, glass, polypropylene etc. in concrete. In the present investigation, Glass Wool Fibres (GWF) was added to concrete in percentages, varying from 0.00 to 1.05% by weight of concrete, and its effects on strength properties of the concrete produced investigated. Twenty-Four Cubes (100×100×100mm), Sixteen cylinders (100×200mm) and sixteen prisms (100×100×500mm) were cast and cured for 7 and 28 days respectively after which they were subjected to compressive, split-tensile and flexural strength tests. The results showed that inclusion of GWF in concrete has little effect on the concrete compressive strength. There was however considerable improvement in the split-tensile and flexural strength of concrete. Glass wool fibre reinforced concrete with 0.35% fibre content gave the optimum value of 10.0% and 16.2% increase in split tensile and flexural strength respectively compared to plain concrete (control). Increase in fibre content beyond 0.35% gave comparatively little or no increase in concrete strength properties. It is recommended that the use of GWF in concrete be limited to about 0.35% by weight in order to optimize the enhancement of strength properties of concrete.