Issue 75

M. Ramos et alii, Fracture and structural integrity, 75 (2026) 399-434 ; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.75.29

actually cause an increase of 10.92% and 3.88%, respectively, which is an important aspect to consider when applying them to concrete slabs.

Figure 32: Crack reduction ratio (length).

Focusing solely on crack length, it is concluded that sample designs DM-01 and DM-03 do not contribute to reducing it in the physical models; on the contrary, they cause a considerable increase. In contrast, design DM-02 represents a favorable alternative for incorporating polypropylene synthetic fiber, achieving an 11.46% reduction in crack length.

Figure 33: Crack reduction ratio (number of cracks).

Finally, Figure 33 shows the Crack Reduction Ratio (CRR) for the number of cracks and its corresponding percentage reduction. Analysis of the data processed at 28 days shows that all sample designs—DM-01, DM-02, and DM-03— exhibit a reduction in the number of cracks, with respective reduction percentages of 37.84%, 32.43%, and 43.24%. When considering only the number of cracks, it is observed that all dosages (DM-01, DM-02, and DM-03) achieve a reduction in the total number of cracks in the physical models, indicating that any of them is viable for use in concrete. Ordering their effectiveness in crack reduction from highest to lowest, DM-03 shows the greatest reduction, followed by DM-01, and finally DM-02. The addition of DM-02 (1000 g/m³) of polypropylene synthetic fiber to concrete slabs represents an approximate increase of S/. 40 per cubic meter, equivalent to a 12–16% increase over the base cost of conventional concrete (S/.

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