Mechanical Properties of Carbon-Fiber–Reinforced Concrete

Abstract Fibers are used to improve the properties of concrete. This article investigates the mechanical properties of chopped carbon-fiber–reinforced concrete (CFRC). The properties examined include workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. The fibers were added at the volume fractions of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 %. Adding carbon fiber to the concrete decreased the workability of concrete. The compressive strength of CFRC increases when more carbon fiber is added to the mixture, up to a certain percentage, after which increasing fiber content becomes unbeneficial. This optimum fiber content is found to be 1 %, with a strength effectiveness of 13.65 %. The splitting tensile strength of CFRC improved linearly when more fiber was added to the mixture, and the strength effectiveness ranged from 18.37 to 132.6 %. The flexural strength of CFRC improved linearly with increased fiber content, and the strength effectiveness ranged from 3.26 to 13.82 %. Relationships for compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength of CFRC are introduced and explained.