Laboratory evaluation of an ecological pavement construction material: sand concrete reinforced with polypropylene fibres

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an experimental study performed on sand concrete reinforced with polypropylene fibres, which is a fine concrete containing only sand as aggregate. The material is intended to be used for the construction of rigid pavements for secondary roads. This material is considered ecological since it saves on the consumption of coarse aggregates, which natural resources are getting scarce, and it is based on two materials that are considered as wastes, namely sea-dredged sand and quarry sand. The performed tests include compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, three-point bending flexural strength, modulus of elasticity and free shrinkage. It was found that polypropylene fibres slightly reduce the mechanical properties of the material but significantly enhance its shrinkage behaviour as well as its toughness and therefore ductility. It was concluded that sand concrete reinforced with 1% (by weight of cement) polypropylene fibres is a suitable material for constructing rigid pavements for low-traffic roads.

Keywords:

• sea-dredged sand
• compacted sand concrete
• polypropylene fibres
• cracking
• shrinkage
• toughness
• rigid pavements