Published Paper Details:

Modern civil engineering construction tends to progress towards more economic, design and construction of structures through, gradually improved methods of design and the use of higher strength materials. The application of polymer latex provides an additional approach when optimizing the properties of high- performance concrete thereby improving the plain concrete from porous to an impermeable structure by forming a lining of latex film across voids, pores and micro cracks. Optimum natural rubber latex in cement concrete is very effective in avoiding the chemical attacks on concrete by blocking the aggressive agents which attacks the cement paste. Since concrete is a significantly brittle material and exhibits a very poor tensile strength, it cracks Therefore, to sort out these issues, fibers are added to concrete to control the cracks and crack growth. The paper investigates the effect of Natural rubber latex, basalt and sisal fibres on the flexural behaviour and drying shrinkage of metakaolin added high- performance concrete. The results revealed that the drying shrinkage has decreased for Natural rubber latex specimens compared to control specimens by 38.14% and sisal fibres exhibited significant reduction in drying shrinkage over control specimens by about 47.44%. Also, the flexural load carrying capacity of natural rubber latex modified beam with metakaolin was increased by 3.54% whereas those with mono fibres showed an increased percentage of 8.55% and 15.47% with sisal and basalt respectively. Thus, Natural Rubber Latex modified fibre reinforced HPC enhances the flexural behaviour and also results in decreased drying shrinkage compared to control specimens.