Journal of Transportation Research

Journal of Transportation Research

Evaluation the Effect of Hybrid Polypropylene Synthetic Fibers and Concrete Viscosity Modifier Agent on Plastic Shrinkage Cracking Distress in Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ehsan Sobhani Fard 1
Hassan Ziari 2
Reza Sobhani Fard 3
Mohsen Amiri 3
1 Ph.D., Student, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Iran.
3 M.Sc., Grad., School of Civil Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
10.22034/tri.2025.474744.3294
Abstract
plastic shrinkage cracking distress in jointed plain concrete pavements is one of the most common types of distress in these pavements. The use of different fibers, especially polypropylene fibers due to their durability and higher performance, is one of the new and effective approaches in reducing cracking. Concrete viscosity modifier (VMA) is one of the widely used additives in the concrete pavement industry. It is important to investigate the combination of this material with micro and macro polypropylene hybrid fibers on the changes in plastic sherinkage cracking distress. The current research evaluates the effect of hybrid polypropylene synthetic fibers and VMA material on the plastic shrinkage cracking distress in jointed plain concrete pavements. Macro fibers were used in the amount of 1800 gr/m3 of fresh concrete. The average width, length and area of plastic shrinkage cracking were evaluated using the ASTM C1579 standard method and digital microscopic image analysis. The results showed that the VMA material increased the intensity of cracking and increased the average width, length and area of cracking up to 11%, 12% and 17%, respectively. Hybrid fibers reduced the average width, length and area of maximum cracking up to 77%, 52% and 88%, respectively. It was seen that the positive effect of fibers overcame the negative effect of VMA material and by combining these two materials, the severity of cracking decreased. The combination of VMA material with hybrid fibers did not increase negative effects compared to these materials alone. The VMA material had a similar effect on the transverse and longitudinal changes of the cracking, but the hybrid fibers caused a greater change in the width of the crack than its length.
Keywords
Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements
Plastic Shrinkage Cracking Distress
Polypropylene Hybrid Fibers
Concrete Viscosity Modifier Agent (VMA)
Digital Microscopic Image Analysis
Subjects
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