Mechanical performance evaluation of conventional and pervious concrete reinforced with steel and nylon fibers

Abstract

Performance enhancement of concrete to meet modern infrastructure demands has become essential in the construction industry. This study presents an experimental investigation of the incorporation of steel and nylon fibers in conventional and pervious concrete to evaluate their mechanical strength and permeability behavior. Fibers were added to the mix at 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.0% by weight of cement. The studied parameters were the compressive strength, split tensile strength, density, porosity, and permeability. The experimental results revealed that, with optimum dosage, both fibers affected the mechanical properties of conventional and pervious concrete. The tensile strength showed a remarkable increase (approximately 45% for steel fibers), primarily through crack-bridging mechanisms within the matrix. Higher dosages of steel fibers were more effective than lower contents. Nylon fibers at a low dosage (0.25%) provided optimum performance, whereas 0.75% content also showed a notable strength increase. The density of both concrete types demonstrated only marginal variation. The permeability of pervious concrete, however, exhibited a slight increase at low fiber content, followed by a decrease with further fiber addition, indicating a trade-off between strength and hydraulic functionality. A comparative analysis of both concrete types was also performed. The findings demonstrate that controlled incorporation of steel and nylon fibers enhances the load resistance of both types of concrete while an optimal dosage is required to maintain adequate permeability, thereby contributing to more durable and sustainable construction practices.