Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Results in Engineering, cilt.30, ss.1-16, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
The use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) fibers from post-consumer bottles in concrete offers an environmentally sustainable alternative to virgin synthetic fibers; however, the role of fiber geometry in governing the coupled mechanical and durability performance of structural-grade concrete remains insufficiently quantified. This study investigates the influence of rPET fiber volume fraction (0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%) and aspect ratio (30 and 60) on the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete with a target compressive strength of 30 MPa. Workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, water absorption, drying shrinkage, abrasion resistance, and resistance to chloride ion penetration were experimentally evaluated. The results show that rPET fibers significantly enhanced flexural strength, abrasion resistance, and crack-related durability indicators, while inducing moderate reductions in compressive strength, elastic modulus, and workability, particularly at higher dosages and aspect ratios. Despite a slight increase in water absorption, chloride ion penetrability and drying shrinkage were reduced, indicating that crack control and pore network tortuosity govern durability performance. Correlation and regression analyses confirmed that fiber volume fraction predominantly influences transport properties, whereas fiber aspect ratio controls flexural performance and shrinkage mitigation. These findings establish a geometry-driven, performance-oriented framework for optimizing rPET fiber-reinforced concrete.