Experimental study on strength and flexural toughness properties of waste fishing net hybrid fiber-reinforced cementitious composites

Abstract

In this study, the flexural response of waste fishing net hybrid fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (WFN-HFRCCs) was experimentally investigated to evaluate the hybrid effect of WFN fibers. Three different WFN fibers, 40 mm macro-WFN fiber and two micro-WFN fibers, and two different mix compositions (1.0%, 0.5 + 0.5%) were used to investigate the hybrid effect. The effect of micro-WFN fibers was confirmed by 25% reduced free shrinkage compared to control. WFN-HFRCCs containing both macro- and micro-WFN fibers exhibited 29% increased flexural toughness and 78% improved residual strength than the WFN-FRCCs produced with single WFN fibers. Reinforced samples (WFN-HFRCCs) with hand-cut macro-WFN fibers and grinded waste rope fibers (HNRs) exhibited the highest compressive strength, flexural strength, and residual strength, whereas they did not show significant improvements in the shrinkage and rapid chloride penetration test results. The compressive strength and residual strength of WFN-HFRCCs with HNR were 11% and 100% higher, respectively, than those of the WFN-FRCCs. Thus, the hybrid effect of the WFN fibers was confirmed from the improved strength and ductility under flexural load.