Cooperative effect of hybrid polyethylene-basalt fibers on crack width control and mechanical properties in ECC

Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) reinforced with polyethylene (PE) fiber has large crack width and high production cost, and these two shortcomings affect its application in practical projects. In this study, basalt fiber (BF) was hybrid with PE fiber to achieve cooperative effect, developing a PE/BF-hybrid fiber ECC (PE/BF-HyECC) with tighter crack width and more economic advantages. The impacts of different fiber content on the pore structure, mechanical, and cost performance of PE/BF-HyECC were investigated. The PE/BF-HyECC with positive cooperative effect of 1.5 vol.% PE and 1.0 vol.% BF had higher strength and tighter crack width compared to PE-ECC with 2.0 vol.% PE. Its cost performance ratio was 1.19 to 1.37 times that of PE-ECC with 2.0 vol.% PE. The better performance and higher cost performance of PE/BF-HyECC is expected to expand its practical application.