Assessment of mechanical behavior of sprayed concrete reinforced with waste tire textile fibers

Abstract

The primary objective of this research is to assess the mechanical properties of shotcrete or sprayed concrete reinforced with waste tire textile fibers (WTTFs). Shotcrete is extensively employed in civil and mining engineering projects for support systems. This study examines the physical and mechanical characteristics of shotcrete samples, both without fibers and reinforced with WTTFs, including density, water absorption, volume of permeable voids, ultrasonic pulse velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, and splitting tensile strength. The reinforced samples consist of WTTF fibers at 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% concentrations. Test results demonstrate that the inclusion of waste tire textile fibers enhances the mechanical properties of shotcrete, particularly its deformability and energy absorption capacity. Based on the test outcomes, a 1% fiber concentration is recommended as the most suitable ratio for utilizing waste tire textile fibers in shotcrete. Furthermore, these flexible fibers do not impede shotcrete pumping or spraying capabilities.