The effect of fiber dosage and mixing duration on concrete properties

Concrete has been the most demanded construction material for many centuries. And despite the fact that new construction materials regularly appear on the market, no replacement for concrete has ever been found. However, research is constantly underway to improve the properties of concrete.

The use of various modifying additives improves the characteristics of this indispensable construction material, first of all regarding strength. By the way, you can buy concrete additives that significantly increase the physical and operational properties of the concrete mixture in our online store.

One of these additives that improves concrete parameters is universal reinforcing fiber. It has replaced previously used reinforcement materials—metal mesh and grates, and steel rods.

By adding fiber to the concrete mass, the following results are achieved:

• a significant increase in the durability of products and structures;
• reduction of the risk of crack formation;
• cost savings (it is much cheaper compared to standard reinforcing materials).

Fiber is added not only to concrete, but also to other construction materials: gypsum, cement, various dry mixes, and mortars.

Main Types of Fiber for Concrete

Considering the types of raw materials, the following varieties of reinforcing additives are distinguished:

• polypropylene;
• metal/steel;
• glass;
• basalt;
• anchor.

Polypropylene fiber reinforcement, which has excellent technical parameters, is most often used for floor pouring, wall surface arrangement, and foundations. Polypropylene improves structure quality across multiple characteristics at once—from impact resistance to weather resistance.

How and Why to Use Concrete Fiber

The process of micro-reinforcement using a polymer additive allows builders to speed up and simplify multiple labor-intensive operations associated with concrete.

The technology appeared relatively recently on the construction market, but it has a promising future.

Fiber, consisting of small polypropylene fibers, is added to the mortar at any stage of its preparation—either to dry components or into the liquid mass. If fiber is introduced at an early stage, the mixing time will be about 15 minutes; if at the end, add a few more minutes for final and complete mixing.

The fibers are evenly distributed throughout the volume of the mixture. As the concrete mortar hardens, it forms a randomly located internal framework inside, which reduces the number of internal microcracks, prevents delamination and abrasion of outer layers. Such an additive will allow concrete surfaces and products to serve for many years even in unfavorable conditions.

Financially, using polymer fiber is more profitable due to its low consumption rates.

The consumption of fiber for concrete ranges from 700 g to 1000 g per 1m³. Figures may vary depending on the composition of the mixture and the field of application.

How much fiber to add is decided in each specific situation. Concrete, reinforced concrete, and dry construction mixes require the optimal additive consumption recommended specifically for them.

In the "Stroytekhnik" online store, fiber is presented in 900-gram packages. This packaging is convenient; its contents can be immediately poured into the concrete mixer drum along with other components.