EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON MECHANICAL AND DURABILITY PERFORMANCE OF HYBRID FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE

Concrete remains the primary construction material worldwide due to its compressive strength and versatility; however, its inherent brittleness and low tensile capacity limit structural performance under flexural and dynamic loading. The inclusion of discrete fibers has emerged as an effective technique to enhance crack resistance and ductility. This research investigates the combined influence of steel fibers and polypropylene fibers on the mechanical and durability characteristics of M30 grade concrete. Various hybrid fiber proportions were incorporated and tested for compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, water absorption, and chloride ion penetration resistance. Experimental findings demonstrate that the synergistic action of hybrid fibers significantly improves tensile and flexural properties while maintaining compressive strength within acceptable structural limits. Fiber and 0.25% polypropylene fiber by volume. The study confirms that hybrid fiber systems enhance crack control, durability, and post-cracking behavior, making them suitable for heavy-duty and infrastructure applications.