EFFECTIVENESS OF ROAD SLABS PRODUCED USING MICROSILICA AND FIBER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

The physical and mechanical properties of concrete produced for road slabs using bulk fiber reinforcement with polypropylene macro- and microfibers were tested to address challenges in improving road slab performance. The study analyzed the effects of incorporating macrofibers and microfibers into the concrete composition. It was established that low-modulus synthetic fibers significantly influence the strength, density, water resistance, and frost resistance of concrete. Polypropylene macrofibers enhance compressive and bending strength, while polypropylene microfibers improve the cement matrix structure, optimize the pore space, and increase frost and water resistance. Experimental results demonstrated that using fibers of various sizes enables the production of concrete with enhanced strength, density, and durability. Moreover, combining fiber reinforcement with microsilica allowed an increase in bending strength by up to 35%, frost resistance up to F375, and water resistance up to W14. The study’s approach included selecting materials compliant with regulations, optimizing C25/30 class heavy concrete compositions with microsilica, and conducting tests to evaluate operational reliability. The findings validate the use of multidimensional polypropylene fibers and microsilica for road slab manufacturing, creating additional crystallization centers and reducing pore space. These results offer insights into enhancing mechanical and durability properties for infrastructure applications, contributing to reduced maintenance costs and extended service life.