FIBER REINFORCEMENT IN THE CEMENT AND CONCRETE INDUSTRY

Fibre reinforcement in the form of asbestos fibres has been used in the cement industry for nearly a hundred years. However, during the past twenty years a variety of new organic and inorganic fibres have been introduced into the construction industry, and the theoretical understanding of their behaviour at fibres volumes of between 0.1 and 10% in the composite has been comprehensively developed. The major uses of steel and polypropylene fibres are in massive concrete structures whereas carbon, cellulose, glass, natural, polypropylene, and polyvinyl alcohol fibres are used in thin sheet products. The theory and practice of these relatively new bulk markets for fibres are reviewed, together with examples of the most widely used products. (C) 1995 The Institute of Materials.