Comparison of Performances of Structural Fibers and Development of a Specification for Using Structural Fibers in Thin Concrete Overlays

Status:  Complete
Report Date:  09/24/2018

Summary:

Researchers demonstrated through lab testing that synthetic fibers in thin concrete overlays keep cracks tight and help transfer loads across slabs. Fibers with irregular cross sections and high lateral stiffness perform well in overlays. While increasing dosage levels up to 1 percent fiber volume fraction of concrete mixture improves load transfer across cracks and seams, using fiber dosage levels that exceed 1 percent fiber volume fraction renders mixtures largely unworkable. Researchers provide recommendations for selecting fiber types and dosages in pavement design, and suggest a test for trial batches.

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Project Personnel:

Principal Investigator:  Manik Barman

Technical Liaison:  Maria Masten

Project Coordinator:  Debra Fick

Panel Members: 
Bernard Izevbekhai - Materials & Road Research
Cory Slagle - Washington County Transp Division
Dave Fennessy - BASF Corporation
Greg Halverson - Brock White
Lowell Flaten - District 8
Mark Johnson - BASF
Matt Zeller - CPAM (Concrete Contractors)
Robert Golish - Materials & Road Research
Rodrick Garver - Soils and Materials
Thomas Burnham - Materials & Road Research
Timothy Andersen - Materials & Road Research
Todd Howard - Dakota County