SYNTHETIC MACRO-FIBER REINFORCED INDUSTRIAL FLOORING: STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE, EXECUTION, AND TECHNICAL VIABILITY

Abstract

This study evaluates the performance of concrete floors reinforced with synthetic macrofibers, considering mechanical, microstructural, and physicochemical compatibility aspects. Concretes with characteristic strengths Fck of 25 MPa and 40 MPa were produced, incorporating synthetic macrofibers at dosages of 0.0, 2.25, 4.0, and 6.25 kg/m³. Axial compressive strength was determined at 7 and 28 days. At 7 days, resistance increments were observed in the 25 MPa concrete as macrofiber content increased, reaching average values near 19 MPa. At 28 days, average strengths remained between 25.4–27.3 MPa for Fck 25 and 35.3–36.7 MPa for Fck 40, indicating that macrofiber incorporation does not compromise the floor's mechanical performance. Coefficient of variation analysis revealed increased result dispersion at high dosages due to homogenization difficulties. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) evidenced better fiber distribution at intermediate dosages, while higher contents showed signs of segregation. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and expansibility tests indicated no mineralogical changes or expansions exceeding normative limits. It is concluded that synthetic macrofibers are technically viable for concrete floors when used in controlled dosages.