Evaluation of Non-Metallic Fiber Reinforced Concrete in New Full Depth PCC Pavements

Ramakrishnan, V; Tolmare, Neeraj S · 1998 · ROSA P / South Dakota. Department of Transportation

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Summary

This study evaluates the feasibility, constructability, and performance of Non-Metallic Fiber Reinforced Concrete (NMFRC) using polyolefin fibers in new full-depth Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavements. Motivated by the need to improve highway infrastructure performance while managing budget constraints, the research aimed to address unresolved issues from prior smaller-scale tests, specifically regarding design criteria, joint spacing, load transfer effectiveness, and economic impacts. The primary objectives were to recommend NMFRC pavement designs, evaluate field performance and constructability, and assess life-cycle costs. The experimental design involved constructing multiple test sections on US 83 near Pierre, South Dakota. These included a plain jointed concrete pavement (PJCP) control section and various NMFRC sections differing in thickness (165 mm and 203 mm), joint spacing (7.6 m, 10.7 m, and unjointed), and dowel configuration. Polyolefin fibers were incorporated at a rate of 14.8 kg/m³. The study combined laboratory testing of fresh and hardened concrete properties—including compressive strength, modulus of rupture, toughness indices, fatigue, and impact resistance—with field monitoring. Field evaluations included periodic visual inspections, crack width measurements using P.K. nails, Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests for load transfer, and roughness index measurements (IRI and SDI). Laboratory results indicated that NMFRC significantly enhanced structural properties compared to plain concrete, increasing toughness, impact resistance, fatigue endurance, and post-crack load-carrying capacity. The addition of fibers shifted the failure mode from brittle to ductile. Field constructability was deemed satisfactory; initial issues with fiber dispersion were resolved by pre-wetting fibers and slightly increasing mixing time. Standard construction equipment could be used with minor plant modifications. Field inspections over three years showed no distress such as spalling or fatigue cracking in jointed sections. In the unjointed section, random transverse cracks formed at approximately 26-meter intervals, behaving similarly to sawed joints. FWD tests suggested lower load transfer in NMFRC sections, particularly in undoweled and thinner segments, though the authors noted contradictions in the elastic modulus data derived from these tests. Riding quality indices showed no significant difference between NMFRC and control sections. The study concludes that while NMFRC is technically feasible and offers performance benefits such as potential for longer joint spacings and thinner sections, it is not economically favorable for general use due to high initial material costs. Life-cycle cost analysis indicated that NMFRC would only become viable if fiber costs decreased. Recommendations include using NMFRC for special cases where performance outweighs cost, adopting longer joint spacings (up to 15.25 m for thicker sections), and utilizing dowel baskets for load transfer. The authors also suggest modifying existing design methods and standardizing specific quality control tests for NMFRC applications.

Key finding

The addition of polyolefin fibers transformed concrete failure from brittle to ductile and improved toughness and fatigue resistance, but high initial costs make NMFRC economically unviable for full-depth pavements compared to plain concrete.

Methodology

field_study

Provenance

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• road surface friction