" Use of horsehair fibers to control plastic shrinkage cracking in concrete"

Lagos L.M.G.; Robles C.O.L.; Carrillo A.V.T. · Congreso Internacional de Innovacion y Tendencias en Ingenieria, CONIITI (2025) · DOI: 10.1109/coniiti68560.2025.11366154

Resumen

Resumen— This study evaluates the effect of incorporating natural horsehair fibers into concrete mixtures as a strategy to mitigate plastic shrinkage and reduce crack formation in the fresh state. The fibers were preconditioned by cutting, washing, and drying, using a standard length of 2.5 cm. Four concrete mixtures were designed with varying fiber contents (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%), maintaining a constant water-to-cement ratio of 0.50. Workability, temperature, and density were assessed in the fresh state, and prismatic specimens were prepared and subjected to accelerated drying conditions according to ASTM C1579-13. Additionally, cylindrical specimens and standard beams were fabricated to evaluate the mechanical properties of hardened concrete at 7, 14, and 28 days. The results showed a 37.5% reduction in the surface crack width with a 2.0% fiber content, without significantly affecting compressive strength, while flexural strength improved. It is concluded that the use of horsehair fibers represents a viable, accessible, and sustainable alternative to control plastic shrinkage and enhance the early durability of concrete, while promoting the use of low-impact natural materials.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas