Improvement of Load Carrying Capacity of Concrete Pavement Slabs Using Macro Synthetic Fibers

This study presents the results of an investigation of the effect of macro synthetic fibers (MSF) reinforcement on the load carrying capacity of concrete pavement slabs. Six concrete slabs having dimensions of 800 x 800 x 50 mm(3) were prepared and tested under static loads at three different positions: interior, edge and corner of the slab. Three of the slabs were Portland cement concrete (PCC) and prepared as references. The other three slabs were macro synthetic fiber reinforced concrete (MSFRC). Mechanical properties examined in this study included compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity and ductility of PCC and MSFRC. The findings showed that the addition of MSF to PCC improved the load carrying capacity of concrete pavement slabs. Test results obtained indicated that the ultimate load carrying capacity of MSFRC slabs was increased by 24%, 20%, and 23% for interior, edge and corner loading positions, respectively.