Citation :

Haneetha Haneef, Mukilan. K, "Performance Enhancement of Hybrid SIFCON Through Steel-Glass-Polypropylene Fibre Synergy for Improved Workability and Mechanical Efficiency," International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 1-17, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I5P101

Abstract

Slurry Infiltrated Fibrous Concrete (SIFCON) is an advanced cementitious composite characterized by a high level of fibre content, high ductility, and high-quality crack resistance. Its broader use is limited, however, by issues of slurry intrusion and fibre congestion when single-type fibres are employed in more intense dosages. In order to address these shortcomings, this research paper investigates the synergistic outcome of steel, glass, and polypropylene fibres on fresh and mechanical characteristics of hybrid SIFCON. The main goal was to find a good hybrid fibre mixture that can strengthen and improve flexural performance without distorting the workability. M40 grade concrete was used in the form of the base matrix in thirteen hybrid SIFCON mixes with the addition of OPC 53 grade cement, fly ash as an additional binder, and a water-cement ratio of 0.45 held constant. Steel fibres were sustained at 4% volume in selected mixes; glass fibres were varied from 1% to 4%, and polypropylene fibres were included at 0.5% where applicable. To determine flowability and passing ability, the slurry was infiltrated into pre-laid fibres, and fresh state properties were evaluated by using V-funnel and J-ring tests. Compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength tests were performed at 7 and 28 days in order to evaluate mechanical behavior. The incorporation of hybrid fibres produced a great improvement in the mechanical performance as compared to the control mix. The mix HS4G2P05 that had 4% steel, 2% glass, and 0.5% polypropylene fibres delivered the best results with a split tensile strength of 28 days of 6 Mpa, compressive strength of 50 Mpa, and flexural strength of 9.5 MPA, representing increases of 14.2%, 81.8%, and 111% respectively over the control concrete. The Performance Index (PI) improved from 0.105 to 0.190, indicating superior flexural efficiency. Statistical significance was confirmed by one-way ANOVA of all the parameters of strength as the decisive effect of fibre hybridization. Overall, the study confirms that well-proportioned hybrid fibres enhance multi-scale crack bridging, improve slurry infiltration, and yield superior structural performance.

Keywords

Hybrid SIFCON, Slurry Infiltration, Steel Fibres, Glass Fibres, Polypropylene Fibres, Fresh Properties, Split Tensile Strength, Compressive Strength, Flexural Behavior.

References

1. Nadia Moneem Al-Abdalay, Husein Ali Zeini, and Huda Zuhair Kubba, “Investigation of the Behavior of Slurry Infiltrated Fibrous Concrete,” Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, vol. 65, no. 1, pp. 109-120, 2020.
   [Google Scholar]
2. Esraa Kh. Abuzaid et al., “Slurry Infiltrated Fiber Concrete Properties: A Review,” Jurnal Kejuruteraan, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 155-167, 2024.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
3. J. Patil Premchand, and S. Kanase Jayant, “Enhancement of Torsional Strength of Reinforced Concrete by Application of Steel Fibres,” International Journal for Innovative Research in Science & Technology, vol. 2, no. 11, pp. 590-595, 2016.
   [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
4. Shahad S. Khamees, Mohammed M. Kadhum, and Nameer A. Alwash, “Effects of Steel Fibers Geometry on the Mechanical Properties of SIFCON Concrete,” Civil Engineering Journal, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 21-33, 2020.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
5. Ozkan Sengul, “Mechanical Properties of Slurry Infiltrated Fiber Concrete Produced with Waste Steel Fibers,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 186, pp. 1082-1091, 2018.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
6. Booki Chun, and Doo-Yeol Yoo, “Hybrid Effect of Macro and Micro Steel Fibers on the Pullout and Tensile Behaviors of Ultra-high-Performance Concrete,” Composites Part B: Engineering, vol. 162, pp. 344-360, 2019.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
7. Mohit Garg, Pejman Azarsa, and Rishi Gupta, “Self-Healing Potential and Post-Cracking Tensile Behavior of Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites,” Composites Science, vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 1-20, 2021.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
8. Jawad Ahmad et al., “A Review on Failure Modes and Cracking Behaviors of Polypropylene Fibers Reinforced Concrete,” Buildings, vol. 12, no. 11, pp. 1-26, 2022.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
9. Zehra Funda Akbulut et al., “Advancing Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Concrete: Performance, Crack Resistance Mechanism, and Future Innovations,” Buildings, vol. 15, no. 8, pp. 1-33, 2025.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
10. Aliyaa M. Alsheameri, Aymen J. Alsaad, and Laith Sh. Rasheed, “Mechanical Characteristics of Slurry Infiltrated Fiber Concrete,” Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 10548-10552, 2023.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
11. Ahmed Dalaf Ahmed et al., “Literature Review of Cement Matrices and Fibers Used in SIFCON,” International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering and Technology, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 277-289, 2023.
    [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
12. Zhao Lu, Wan-Huan Zhou, and Zhen-Yu Yin, “Effect of Viscosity on Slurry Infiltration in Granular Media,” International Journal of Geomechanics, vol. 22, no. 9, pp. 1-14, 2022.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
13. Ali Mudhafar Hashim, and Basil S. Al-Shathr, “Experimental Evaluation of Slurry Infiltrated Fibrous Concrete with Waste Tire Rubber Fine Aggregate,” Mathematical Modelling of Engineering Problems, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 535-542, 2024.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
14. Ravi Prasad Penda, and I V Ramana Reddy, “Mechanical Performance of Slurry-infiltrated Fibrous Concrete with Varying Ratios of Scrap Tire Steel Fibers and Commercial Steel Fibers,” Research on Engineering Structures and Materials, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 1703-1720, 2025.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
15. Dheyaa Ali, Abdulkader Al-Hadithi, and Ahmed Farhan, “Flexural Behavior of Slurry Infiltrated Waste Plastic Fiber Concrete,” Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 42-51, 2023.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
16. Mohammed Muayad Hassan, and Nada Mahdi Fawzi, “Eco-friendly Modified Weight SIFCON Production: The Role of Glass Waste and Hybrid Fibers,” Journal of Ecological Engineering, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 54-64, 2025.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
17. Dania Atheer Abdulbaqi, and Mohammed Ali Abdulrehman, “Some Properties of SIFCON made by Reactive Powder,” Al-Rafidain Journal of Engineering Sciences, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 256-264, 2024.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
18. H. Yas Mohammed, M. Kadhum Mohammed, and G. B. Al-Dhufairi Watheq, “Development of an Engineered Slurry-Infiltrated Fibrous Concrete: Experimental and Modelling Approaches,” Infrastructures, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 1-17, 2023.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
19. Mohammed J. Mohammed, and Adel A. Al-Azzawi, “Torsional Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened Using Hybrid Fibers Sifcon Jacketing,” Civil and Environmental Engineering, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 684-698, 2024.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
20. Msheer Hasan Ali, “Mechanical Properties of Entirely Cement-Replacement Fly Ash-Based Geopolymers (G-SIFCON) and Cement-Based SIFCON: A Comparison Study,” Advanced Engineering Forum, vol. 53, pp. 19-30, 2024.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
21. Mohammed Muayad Hassan, and Nada Mahdi Fawzi Aljalawi, “Performance Evaluation of SIFCON Incorporating Waste Materials and Hybrid Fibers: A Study on Durability and Mechanical Properties,” Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 24423-24428, 2025.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]