Mechanical performance of polyvinyl alcohol macrofiber‐reinforced very‐early‐strength latex‐modified concrete for early‐opening pavement repair

Abstract Very‐early‐strength latex‐modified concrete (VES‐LMC) is widely used for emergency pavement repairs requiring rapid opening to traffic; however, improving mechanical performance while maintaining early‐age strength remains a challenge. This study evaluates the effectiveness of VES‐LMC reinforced with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) macrofibers, which provide structural reinforcement, crack‐bridging capability, and strong interfacial bonding with the cement matrix, potentially reducing the need for treated steel fibers or hybrid macrofiber‐microfiber systems in emergency repairs to pavements and highways. PVA macrofibers were incorporated at dosages of 4.6 (0.35%) and 9.2 kg/m 3 (0.71%), and specimens were tested at 4 h, 7 days, and 28 days. The results showed that both dosages maintained sufficient workability and air content for field placement. The PVA macrofiber mixtures achieved 4‐h compressive strengths ranging from 25.29 to 26.62 MPa, consistently exceeding the 21 MPa requirement for early opening to traffic. Compared with the control VES‐LMC, early‐age flexural, splitting tensile, and direct tensile strengths increased by up to 30.26%, 19.16%, and 26.48%, respectively, with increasing fiber dosage. Overall, the incorporation of PVA macrofibers enhances tensile performance and crack resistance without compromising early‐age strength, demonstrating its suitability for rapid repair applications requiring early opening and long‐term serviceability.