Compressive Strength Characteristics of Carbon, Palm Kernel and Steel Fibre Reinforced Polyster+ Polymer Concrete

Abstract

Particle-filled reinforced polymer composite (PC) is formed by combining mineral aggregates with a resin system. This study presents the compressive strength characteristics of carbon, palm kernel and steel fibre reinforced polymer concrete. The binder was locally produced by dissolving 600g of styrofoam in a litre of gasoline , it was then mixed with river sand at a binder aggregate ratio of 18% binder to 82% fine aggregates. The various fibres were added in the mix at 0%, 1% and 2% by weight of the binder. A total of 27 specimens of 100 x 100 x 100 mm cubes were cast, cured (air dried curing) and tested after 28 days. The results obtained show that the compressive stength of the fibre reinforced polymer concrete increases with fibre content up to 2% for all fibre types used except for palm kernel concrete and which decreases at 2% fibre content. Likewise the deflection decreases generally for all fibre type used except the case of palm kernel fibre.