Mechanical characterization of acrylic — Emulsion polymer-modified concrete reinforced with steel fibre by Taguchi application

In this study, acrylic emulsion polymer as a polymeric admixture was applied in lightweight steel fibre reinforced cement concrete. The effects of curing conditions and polymer - cement ratio on the compressive and flexural strengths of acrylic emulsion polymer-modified concrete reinforced with steel fibre were investigated. Combined dry and wet curing enable to developed both the strengths of cement matrix and acrylic emulsion polymer together. Inclusion of acrylic emulsion polymer at a certain polymer-cement ratio with steel fibre as reinforcement improves the bonds between the cement matrix and steel fibre due to the acrylic emulsion polymer forms in the cement matrix. In addition, acrylic emulsion polymer modification can significantly improve the flexural strength of the normal steel fibre reinforced concrete. Compared with steel fibre reinforced concrete, the compressive strength of the acrylic emulsion polymer-modified concrete reinforced with steel fibre can increase gradually even after 28 days. The mixtures are tested, both in fresh and hardened states and to meet practical and technical requirement of SFRPMC. The results are analyzed using the Taguchi experimental design methodology. The best possible levels of mix proportions are determined for maximization through compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is performed on the measured data and S/N (signal to noise) ratios. A correlation derived from the results of Taguchi experimental design is proposed as a predictive equation for estimation of strength of these composites.