Characterization and Image Processing Analysis on Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Foamed Concrete

Abstract
Objectives: The research explores the effect of adding polypropylene fiber in foamed concrete. Methods/Analysis: The manuscript discusses the mechanical and durability properties of polypropylene fiber reinforced foamed concrete. Fly ash, copper slag, and polypropylene fiber were admixed for strengthening the foamed concrete. The experimental analysis is carried out with polypropylene fibers at 0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% by volume of concrete. Image processing analysis through MATLAB was done to validate the mechanical and durability properties. Findings: The results showed that, the optimum quantity of fiber reinforcement is found to be 0.25%. There was an increase in compressive, split tensile strength and flexural strength of 13.6%, 16.7%, and 30%, respectively, with 0.25% fiber. The durability test results suggest that these values are acceptable for constructing durable concrete structures limited to non-structural applications. The results were validated using image processing analysis through MATLAB software. Economic analysis showed that the foamed concrete reduces the structural dead load by almost 35.3%. Novelty/Improvement: It is recommended that the polypropylene fiber reinforced foamed concrete would be feasible for durable concrete structures limited to non-structural applications.

Keywords: Foamed concrete, Polypropylene fiber, Shrinkage, Image processing, Structural viability