| Summary: | The influence of fibre reinforcement on crack propagation in concrete was studied. Thirty-five double torsion specimens, made with three types of fibres (fibreglass, straight steel fibres and deformed steel fibres) were tested. The variables were the fibre volume and size of the fibres. The test results indicated that the resistance to rapid crack growth increased somewhat with increasing fibre content up to about 1.25% - 1.5% by volume. The degree of compaction had an enormous effect on the fracture properties. The fracture toughness increased with fibre content up to about 1.25% by volume, and then decreased, due to incomplete compaction. It was found that in this test geometry, fibres did not significantly restrain crack growth. It was also observed that once the crack had propagated down the full length of the specimen, the system changed from a continuous system to a discontinuous system, consisting of two separate plates held together by the fibre reinforcement. Different types of fibres did not significantly affect the fracture toughness. === Applied Science, Faculty of === Civil Engineering, Department of === Graduate
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