This project will investigate the inclusion of a plastic material, such as polypropylene, into concrete to determine the effect on the shrinkage and drying of the composite material. The concept to be investigated is the possible beneficial effect of the plastic material to control cracking of the concrete during the curing stage of the composite material. Controlling the cracking of the concrete during curing will result in finer and more numerous cracks thus increasing the durability of the material. The results will be of great benefit to the construction industry for highway pavements, airport runways, slabs as foundations of buildings and warehouses, bridge decks, and tunnel linings.
