Evaluating the effect of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) on the structural performance of reinforced concrete beams: experimental and numerical

The field of structural engineering constantly aims to achieve a combination of strength and flexibility in reinforced concrete structures. This study examines the impact of PET fibers on the performance of reinforced concrete beams. Two research methodologies have been considered. The initial method involves substituting PET fibers as a proportion of the weight of the fine aggregate, whereas the second method entails adding PET as a percentage of the entire sample’s weight. For the replacement method, PET is replaced at 5%, 15%, and 30% of the weight of the sand, whereas for the addition method, PET is added to the mixture at 0.5% and 1% of the total weight of the sample. Finally, the flexural strength, stiffness, and distribution of cracks in the beams were evaluated and compared with those in the control beam. Furthermore, the stress–strain behavior of fiber-reinforced concretes was introduced into Abaqus for finite element analysis, and the results were compared with experimental findings.