Static and dynamic properties of concrete with different types and shapes of fibrous reinforcement

•Concrete are reinforced with different types and shapes of fibres.•Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) is used to study the dynamic properties of the FRC.•W-shape steel FRC shows the superior static and dynamic behaviours.•PP fibres slightly reduce the static, but improve the dynamic properties of concrete.•5% coir fibre had enhanced concrete dynamic stress, at par with W-shape steel fibre.

This research determines the static compressive, split tensile and flexural strengths as well as dynamic stress, strain and toughness of fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) at strain rates of 30–50 s−1 (single impact pressures of 2 and 3 MPa). Three fibre types (steel, polypropylene (PP) and coir (CF)) with different shapes, sizes, lengths and contents are considered. The newly modified W shape steel fibre has the greatest influence on concrete static and dynamic properties. PP fibre slightly reduces the concrete mechanical properties, but improves the dynamic properties 15% more compared to plain concrete (PC). The compressive strength of 5% CF concrete is slightly improved, but the flexural and split tensile strengths are improved by 11% and 35%, respectively, compared to PC. There are significant improvements in dynamic stress, strain and toughness due to addition of 5% CF in concrete. CF stands at par with steel fibre in enhancing both the static and dynamic properties of FRC.