Mechanical properties of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete at low fiber volume fraction

Concretes containing different types of hybrid fibers at the same volume fraction (0.5%) were compared in terms of compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural properties. Three types of hybrid composites were constructed using fiber combinations of polypropylene (PP) and carbon, carbon and steel, and steel and PP fibers. Test results showed that the fibers, when used in a hybrid form, could result in superior composite performance compared to their individual fiber-reinforced concretes. Among the three types of hybrids, the carbon-steel combination gave concrete of the highest strength and flexural toughness because of the similar modulus and the synergistic interaction between the two reinforcing fibers.