Synthetic fibers for cementitious composites: A critical and in-depth review of recent advances

Owing to their remarkable physical and mechanical properties, the use of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers in cementitious composites has received significant attention in recent years. This paper presents an in-depth review of the recent advances on the use of these synthetic fibers in cementitious composites as reinforcement. The fibers are categorized on the basis of their physical and mechanical properties. Throughout the review, the key fiber parameters have been identified and their influence on the physical, mechanical, and durability properties of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs) are discussed. To explain the observations of these properties, microstructure analyses of the composites and fibers are also presented.