Comparative Study of Concretes Reinforced with Carbon, Polyethylene, and Steel Fibers and Their Improvement by Latex Addition

Mortars containing carbon, polyethylene, and stainless steel fibers at the same volume fraction and with similar fiber diameters were compared in terms of tensile, compressive, and flexural properties. Carbon fibers, though having the lowest tensile modulus, strength, and elongation at break among the fiber types, gave mortar of the highest tensile strength and lowest cost; polyethylene fibers, due to their high ductility, gave mortar of the highest flexural toughness; and steel fibers gave mortar of the highest flexural strength. The tensile, compressive, and flexural strengths and flexural toughness were all increased by latex addition for any fiber type.