Mechanical Performance of Pro‐Nylon Fabric Reinforced Non‐Structural Concrete for Urban Sidewalks in Arequipa, Peru

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical performance of non-structural concrete reinforced with Pro-nylon textile fibers (FNP) for pedestrian pavements in Arequipa, Peru. Four mix designs containing 0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, and 1.00% fiber by volume were tested after 28 days of water curing. The 0.50 % fiber mix achieved a compressive strength of 203.6 kg/cm2, comparable to the control (207.7 kg/cm2), while the 1.00 % dosage reduced strength significantly to 168.7 kg/cm2. One-way ANOVA confirmed that fiber content had a statistically significant effect on compressive strength (p = 0.0002). In contrast, indirect tensile strength peaked at 24.0 kg/cm2 with 0.25 % fibers, but differences among groups were not statistically significant (p = 0.30). These findings identify an optimal dosage range (0.25–0.50 %) that enhances compressive performance without compromising material integrity, underscoring the need for further studies on tensile behavior and durability under real service conditions.