Correo Electrónico
DNINFOA - SIA
Bibliotecas
Convocatorias
Identidad U.N.
Publicado
A systematic review on the impact of polypropylene fibers on the physico-mechanical, microstructural and durability properties of concrete
Revisión sistemática del impacto de las fibras de polipropileno en las propiedades físico-mecánicas, microestructurales y de durabilidad del concreto
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/dyna.v93n241.121649Palabras clave:
polypropylene, concrete, durability, microstructure, sustainability (en)polipropileno, concreto, durabilidad, microestructura, sostenibilidad (es)
Descargas
The construction industry faces a serious environmental impact due to high cement emissions, which drives the search for sustainable alternatives such as polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete (PPF). To this end, its effect on concrete properties was analyzed through a systematic and filtered review of 66 recent articles between 2021 and 2025 extracted from Scopus, ScienceDirect and MDPI. The studies show that PPF improves compressive, flexural and tensile strength, especially in proportions close to 0.5%. It also increases durability against aggressive agents and improves microstructure by controlling cracks, although it can reduce workability and increase porosity, effects that can be mitigated by the use of metallic fibers or pozzolanic additions. In conclusion, the use of PPF is a viable option to reduce the environmental impact of concrete and improve its performance when applied in adequate proportions.
La industria de la construcción enfrenta un serio impacto ambiental por las altas emisiones del cemento, lo que impulsa la búsqueda de alternativas sostenibles como el concreto reforzado con fibras de polipropileno (FPP). Para ello se analizó su efecto en las propiedades del concreto a través de una revisión sistemática y filtrada de 66 artículos recientes entre los años 2021 y 2025 extraídos de Scopus, ScienceDirect y MDPI. Los estudios muestran que la FPP mejora la resistencia a compresión, flexión y tracción, especialmente en proporciones cercanas al 0.5%. También aumenta la durabilidad frente a agentes agresivos y mejora la microestructura al controlar grietas, aunque, puede reducir la trabajabilidad y aumentar la porosidad, efectos mitigables mediante el uso de fibras metálicas o adiciones puzolánicas. En conclusión, el uso de FPP es una opción viable para reducir el impacto ambiental del concreto y mejorar su desempeño cuando se aplica en proporciones adecuadas.
Referencias
[1] Abdelhaffez, G., ElDeeb, A., Badawy, M., Salman, S., Saleem, H., Ahmed, H., and Anan, A., Improved mechanical properties of concrete mix at high temperatures based on the addition of kaolin, bentonite and glauconite. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, 10(226), art. 9, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-025-01952-9
[2] Abdulwahab, R., Ikotun, B., Raheem, A., Adetoro, E., and Oriti, O., Supplementary cementitious influence of cashew leaf ash as cement replacement in the production of mortar. Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, 10(116), art. 6, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-025-00624-6
[3] Abousnina, R., Premasiri, S., Anise, V., Lokuge, W., Vimonsatit, V., Ferdous, W., and Alajarmeh, O., Mechanical properties of macro polypropylene fibre-reinforced concrete. Polymers, 13(23), art. 4112, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13234112
[4] Aboutair, W., Chaid, R., and Perrot, A., Impact of the nature of fibers on the physicomechanical behavior and durability of cement matrices. Iranian Journal of Science and Technology-Transactions of Civil Engineering, 45(3), pp. 1467-1482. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-021-00596-w
[5] Adamu, M., Labib, W., Ibrahim, Y., and Alanazi, H., Mechanical behavior and durability performance of concrete reinforced with hybrid date palm and polypropylene polymer fibers. Polymers, 17(10), art. 1350, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17101350
[6] Akbulut, Z., Kuzielová, E., Tawfik, T., Smarzewski, P., and Guler, S., Synergistic effects of polypropylene fibers and silica fume on structural lightweight concrete: analysis of workability, thermal conductivity, and strength properties. Materials, 17(20), art. 5042, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17205042
[7] Akid, A., Hossain, S., Imtiaz-Uddin-Munshi, M., Elahi, M., Rahman Sobuz, M., Tam, V., and Saiful-Islam, M., Assessing the influence of fly ash and polypropylene fiber on fresh, mechanical and durability properties of concrete. Journal of King Saud University-Engineering Sciences, 35(7), pp. 474-484, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksues.2021.06.005
[8] Alex, A., Jose, P., Antony, M., and Dhanalakshmi, K., The effect of partial replacement of cement with diatomaceous earth (DE) and polypropylene fibers (PPF) on fresh, hardened, and durability properties of concrete. International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials, 18(24), art. 00666-z, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40069-024-00666-z
[9] Algaifi, H., Muhammad, E., Baharom, S., Alrshoudi, F., Syamsir, A., Salah, H., and Anggraini, V., Optimizing polypropylene fiber and carbon nanotubes to reinforce concrete matrix: a response surface methodology. Construction and Building Materials, 442, art. 137388, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137388
[10] Alwesabi, E., Abu-Bakar, B., Alshaikh, I., Abadel, A., Alghamdi, H., and Wasim, M., An experimental study of compressive toughness of Steel–Polypropylene hybrid Fibre-Reinforced concrete. Structures, 37, pp. 379-388. 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2022.01.025
[11] Amjad, U., Sarir, M., Khan, D., Haq, I., Khawaja, M., and Mahmood, K., Effect of sugar cane bagasse ash incorporated as viscosity modifying agent Chávez-Malque et al / Revista DYNA, (93)241, pp. 28-35, 2026. 34 on fresh, microstructure and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete. International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials, 19(2), art. 4, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40069-024-00718-4
[12] Asgarian, A., Roshan, N., and Ghalehnovi, M., The strength, microstructure, and ecological assessment of concrete mix incorporating waste glass powder and polypropylene fiber. Construction and Building Materials, 371, art. 130726, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.130726
[13] Başsürücü, M., Fenerli, C., Kina, C., and Akbaş, Ş., Effect of fiber type, shape and volume fraction on mechanical and flexural properties of concrete. Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies, 7(3), pp. 158–171, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47481/jscmt.1137088
[14] Bataille, C., Nilsson, L., and Jotzo, F., Industry in a net-zero emissions world: new mitigation pathways, new supply chains, modelling needs and policy implications. Energy and Climate Change, 2, art. 100059, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egycc.2021.100059
[15] Bertelsen, I., Belmonte, L., Fischer, G., and Ottosen, L., Influence of synthetic waste fibres on drying shrinkage cracking and mechanical properties of adobe materials. Construction and Building Materials, 286, art. 122738, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122738
[16] Bhat, A., and Vikram, A., Performance of concrete with polypropylene fibre and polyvinyl chloride fibre. Materials Today: Proceedings, art. 104, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.03.104
[17] Blazy, J., Drobiec, Ł., and Wolka, P., Flexural tensile strength of concrete with synthetic fibers. Materials, 14(16), art. 4428, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14164428
[18] Buller, A., Abro, F.R., Ali, M., Ali, T., and Bheel, N., Effect of silica fume on fracture analysis, durability performance and embodied carbon of fiber- reinforced self-healed concrete. Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics, 130, art. 104333, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2024.104333
[19] Cano, M., Ramirez-Reina, T., Portillo, E., Gallego-Fernández, L., and Navarrete, B., Characterization of emissions of condensable particulate matter under real operation conditions in cement clinker kilns using complementary experimental techniques. Science of the Total Environment, 786, art. 147472, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147472
[20] Chapoñan-Inoñan, J., Delgado-Fernández, E., Muñoz-Pérez, S., Garcia-Chumacero, J., Sánchez-Diaz, E., Diaz-Ortiz, E., Rodriguez-Laffite, E., Villena-Zapata, L., and Malpartida-Iturregui, J., Influence of polypropylene fibers on the microstructure and physical and mechanical properties of concrete. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, 9(12), art. 488, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-024-01805-x
[21] Chen, H., and Li, D., Constitutive relation of polypropylene-fiber-reinforced mortar under uniaxial compression at high temperature. Buildings, 15(3), art. 468 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030468
[22] Chowdhury, I., Abdelwahab, M., Misra, M., and Mohanty, A., Sustainable biocomposites from recycled bale wrap plastic and agave fiber: Processing and Property Evaluation. ACS Omega, 6(4), pp. 2856-2864, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c05186
[23] Deng, Z., Chen, P., Liu, X., Du, L., Tan, J., and Liang, N., Study on the tensile and compressive mechanical properties of multi-scale fiber-reinforced concrete: Laboratory test and mesoscopic numerical simulation. Journal of Building Engineering, 86, art. 108852, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108852
[24] Dharek, M., Maddikeari, M., S.B., Vengala, J., and Tangadagi, R., Performance evaluation of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete on engineering properties and life cycle assessment: A sustainable approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 458, art. 142498, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142498
[25] Elhawary, E., Elsafoury, A., and Ahmad, S., Durability of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete at various environmental media. Scientific Review Engineering and Environmental Sciences, 31(2), pp. 88-100, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22630/srees.2946
[26] Ge, C., Chen, X., Gong, Y., Kong, X., and Chen, F., Effect of high temperature on micro-structure and mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced cement-based composites. Crystals, 14(9), art. 778, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14090778
[27] Gorji-Azandariani, M., Vajdian, M., Asghari, K., and Mehrabi, S.,Mechanical properties of polyolefin and polypropylene fibers-reinforced concrete-An experimental study. Composites Part C: Open Access, 12, art. 100410, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2023.100410
[28] Haigh, R., The mechanical behaviour of waste plastic milk bottle fibres with surface modification using silica fume to supplement 10% cement in concrete materials. Construction and Building Materials, 416, art. 135215, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.135215
[29] Hrabová, K., Láník, J., and Lehner, P., Study of Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Concrete with Different Lengths of Polypropylene Fibers. Buildings, 15(17), art. 3041, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15173041
[30] Huang, G., Su, L., Xue, C., Zhang, Y., Qiao, H., and Wang, C., Study on the deterioration mechanism of hybrid basalt-polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete under sulfate freeze-thaw cycles. Construction and Building Materials, 449, art. 138560, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.138560
[31] Hussein, N., Elmaaty, M., Alturki, M., and Elsayed, M., Enhancing flexural performance of rubberized concrete beams through incorporation of rice husk ash as cement replacement. Engineering Structures, 330, art. 119958, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.119958
[32] Indumathi, M., Nakkeeran, G., Kiran, G., Roy, D., and Al-Fakih, A., Mechanical and sustainability performance of concrete incorporated limestone powder, recycled ceramic aggregates, and coconut fibers. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, 10(5), art. 197, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-025-02018-6
[33] Islam, S., and Waseem, S., An experimental study on mechanical and fracture characteristics of hybrid fibre reinforced concrete. Structures, 68, art. 107053. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2024.107053
[34] Jienmaneechotchai, T., Foytong, P., Khunkitti, P., Sata, V., and Chindaprasirt, P., Enhancement of tensile performance of concrete by using synthetic polypropylene fibers. Scientific Review Engineering and Environmental Sciences, 32(4), pp. 320–337, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22630/srees.5218
[35] Latifi, M., Biricik, Ö., and Mardani, A., Mechanical and durability performance of macro polypropylene fibrous concrete. Iranian Polymer Journal (English Edition), 32(9), pp. 1149-1164. 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-023-01193-6
[36] Lavanya, P., and Venkat-Rao, N., Study on the engineering properties of concrete made of poypropylene fiber and combination of silico manganese slag. Materials Today: Proceedings, art. 438, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.03.438
[37] Li, J., Luo, J., Chen, L., Fan, X., Zhu, Y., Wang, X., and Guo, J., Research on mechanical properties of steel-polypropylene fiber concrete and application of beam structure. Frontiers in Materials, 11, art. 1440466. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2024.1440466
[38] Li, P., Huang, M., Shang, Y., Kuang, Y., Xiong, G., and Tang, X., Study on Mechanical Properties of Coarse-Fine Polypropylene Fiber Blended Concrete. Buildings, 15(16), art. 2971, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162971
[39] Li, Z., Guo, T., Chen, Y., Fang, C., Chang, Y., and Nie, J., Influence of basalt fiber and polypropylene fiber on the mechanical and durability properties of cement-based composite materials. Journal of Building Engineering, 90, art. 109335, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109335
[40] Liang, N., Mao, J., Yan, R., Liu, X., and Zhou, X., Corrosion resistance of multiscale polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete under sulfate attack. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 16, art. e01065, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01065
[41] Lin, Q., Luo, S., Lin, K., and Wang, D., Effects of synthetic fibres on the fracture behaviours of recycled coarse aggregate concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 418, art. 135370, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.135370
[42] MD, B., and Unnikrishnan, S., Mechanical strength and impact resistance of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete with coconut and polypropylene fibers. Materials Today: Proceedings, 65(2), pp. 1873-1880, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.05.048
[43] Meena, A., and Ramana, P., Evaluation of mechanical characteristics of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete at elevated temperature. Materials Today: Proceedings, 65(8), pp. 3328-3332, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.05.407
[44] Meena, A., and Ramana, P., Mechanical characteristics appraisal for polypropylene fiber concrete via mathematical models. Materials Today: Proceedings, 66(4), pp. 1720-1725, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.05.268
[45] Mittal, I., and Sharma, A., Mechanical and durability behaviour of fiber reinforced concrete. Materials Today: Proceedings, 92, pp. 1409–1414, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.05.548
[46] Muñoz-Pérez, S., Rivera-Segura, M., Alejandria-Bustamante, Y., and Villena-Zapata, L., Study of the combined effect of coffee husk ash and polypropylene fibres on the mechanical properties of concrete. Journal of Applied Research and Technology, 22, pp. 32-41, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22201/icat.24486736e.2024.22.1.2131
[47] Najaf, E., Zahrai, S., and Najaf, E., Effect of glass powder & polypropylene fibers on compressive and flexural strengths, toughness and ductility of concrete: An environmental approach. Structures, 33, pp. 4616-4628, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2021.07.048
[48] Pham, T., Fibre-reinforced concrete: State-of-the-art-review on bridging mechanism, mechanical properties, durability, and eco-economic analysis.m Case Studies in Construction Materials, 22, art. e04574, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04574
[49] Prashanth, K., Lohith, N.M.V., and Basutkar, S., Properties of fiber incorporated concrete blocks manufactured using recycled aggregates. Low-Carbon Materials and Green Construction, 2(3), art. 34, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44242-024-00034-w
[50] Qi, Z., Liu, Y., and Zhang, W., Study on salt-frost damage durability of high-performance concrete with polypropylene fiber. Materials, 18(5), art. 1007, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051007
[51] Ramana, P., and Surendranath, A., Assessment of endurance and microstructural properties effect on polypropylene concrete. Materials Today: Proceedings, 52(3), pp. 2184-2191, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.01.277
[52] Ran, T., Pang, J., and Yu, J., Performance of rubber concrete containing polypropylene and basalt fibers under coupled sulfate attack and freeze–thaw conditions: an experimental evaluation. Polymers, 15(9), art. 2066, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15092066
[53] Raza, A., Ahmed, B., El Ouni, M., and Chen, W., Mechanical, durability and microstructural characterization of cost-effective polyethylene fiber- reinforced geopolymer concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 432, art. 136661, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136661
[54] Ren, J., and Lai, Y., Study on the durability and failure mechanism of concrete modified with nanoparticles and polypropylene fiber under freeze-thaw cycles and sulfate attack. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 188, art. 103301, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2021.103301
[55] Schultz, C., Cunningham, P., Fan, J., and Miller, S., Balancing the mechanical performance and environmental sustainability of fiber-reinforced concrete. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 37(7), art. 04025178, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-19454
[56] Solaimanian, S., Environmental risk assessment of concrete construction projects in developing countries based on Analytical Hierarchy Process method. Green Technologies and Sustainability, 3(3), art. 100178, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.grets.2025.100178
[57] Sotohou, F., Mwangi, J., Mutua, J., and Ronoh, E., Development and evaluation of recycled polypropylene and bean pod powder composite biomaterial for fused filament fabrication. advances in materials physics and chemistry, 13(3), pp. 31-48, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ampc.2023.133003
[58] Suiffi, H., El Maliki, A., Majid, F., and Cherkaoui, O., The effect of using polypropylene fibers on the durability and fire resistance of concrete. Frattura ed Integrita Strutturale, 15(58), pp. 296-307, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3221/IGF-ESIS.58.22
[59] Suiffi, H., Maliki, A., Cherkaoui, O., and Dalal, M., Study of the durability of concrete mixed with polypropylene fibers. Procedia Structural Integrity, 33, pp. 229-236. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prostr.2021.10.028
[60] Sun, Z., He, W., Niu, D., Zhang, L., Su, L., and Wang, X., Resistivity Prediction Model for Basalt–Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Concrete. Buildings, 13(1), art. 84, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13010084
[61] Wang, J., Li, Y., Qiu, Z., and Zhang, Y., Experimental research on compressive properties of recycling polypropylene (PP) fiber recycled coarse aggregate concrete. Journal of Building Engineering, 76, art. 107403, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107403
[62] Yan, S., Dong, Q., Chen, X., Li, J., Wang, X., and Shi, B., An experimental and numerical study on the hybrid effect of basalt fiber and polypropylene fiber on the impact toughness of fiber reinforced concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 411, art. 134270, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134270
[63] Yong, Z., Yew, M., Yew, M., Beh, J., Lee, F., Lim, S., and Saw, L., Utilizing bio-based and industrial waste aggregates to improve mechanical properties and thermal insulation in lightweight foamed macro polypropylene fibre-reinforced concrete. Journal of Building Engineering, 91, art. 109588, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109588
[64] Yuan, Z., and Jia, Y., Mechanical properties and microstructure of glass fiber and polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete: an experimental study. Construction and Building Materials, 266, art. 121048, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121048
[65] Zhang, K., Lin, W., Lan, Q., and Zhang, Q., Compressive properties of polypropylene fiber reinforced seawater sea-sand recycled aggregate concrete under different strain rate loading. Construction and Building Materials, 452, art. 138968, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.138968
[66] Zhang, X., Li, M., Niu, J., Fan, Y., and Liu, J., Dynamic mechanical properties of steel-polypropylene hybrid fiber reinforced concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 485, art. 141927, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.141927
Cómo citar
IEEE
ACM
ACS
APA
ABNT
Chicago
Harvard
MLA
Turabian
Vancouver
Descargar cita
Licencia
Derechos de autor 2026 DYNA
Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 4.0.
El autor o autores de un artículo aceptado para publicación en cualquiera de las revistas editadas por la facultad de Minas cederán la totalidad de los derechos patrimoniales a la Universidad Nacional de Colombia de manera gratuita, dentro de los cuáles se incluyen: el derecho a editar, publicar, reproducir y distribuir tanto en medios impresos como digitales, además de incluir en artículo en índices internacionales y/o bases de datos, de igual manera, se faculta a la editorial para utilizar las imágenes, tablas y/o cualquier material gráfico presentado en el artículo para el diseño de carátulas o posters de la misma revista.
