Mechanical Performance and Durability of Latex-Modified Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

In this study, the mechanical performance and durability of latex-modified fiber-reinforced concrete were experimentally investigated. For these purposes, various types of tests were carried out: compressive, flexural, restrained drying shrinkage, water-tightness, and freeze and thaw tests. In total, 59 test specimens were manufactured and performed in this study. The latex weight fractions of 10, 15, and 20% and the fiber volume fractions of 0.2 and 0.3% were used as main test parameters. For each fiber volume fraction, amorphous and conventional steel fibers having the same amount were used together. Based on the test results, it was found that the use of 15% latex weight fraction could result in the very early development of concrete compressive strength at the seventh day; the ratio between the concrete compressive strengths at the seventh and 28th days was approximately 91%. The use of a 0.3% fiber volume fraction presented a higher concrete compressive strength at the seventh day than that of a 0.2% fiber volume fraction. In addition, the increase of the latex weight fraction up to 20% increased the flexural strength, and the increase of the fiber volume fraction up to 0.3% also increased the flexural strength. Moreover, using a high amount of latex could delay the crack development time while the final crack width was almost the same. The addition of latex and fibers into the concrete matrix also resulted in excellent resistances of permeability and freeze-thaw cycles.