Investigating the usability of kevlar and steel fibers as a hybrid in concrete pavements

In this study, the hybrid usage of Kevlar and steel fiber in concrete pavements was investigated. For this purpose, the concrete was designed using the water/binder ratio (0.40, 0.45, 0.50), silica fume (instead of cement 0, 5, 10%), Kevlar fiber (0 gr/m(3), 500 gr/m(3), 1000 gr/m(3)) and steel fiber (0 gr/m(3), 500 gr/m(3), 1000 gr/m(3)). Taguchi method was used as the experimental design, and optimum levels of parameters were determined for 28-days compressive strength, flexural strength, and toughness. According to the experiments and observations, the positive effect of Kevlar fiber upon energy absorption capacity (toughness), compressive and flexural strength of concrete was determined. Using only Kevlar fiber increasing up to 5.1% in compressive strength and up to 14.5% in flexural strength were observed. Considering the obtained results, Kevlar was noticed as a possible recycling material to be introduced into the economy by adding concrete.