Structural analysis of slab-on-grade and raft foundations reinforced with polymeric macrofibers

a systematic review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47236/2594-7036.2026.v10.2142

Keywords:

Fiber reinforced concrete, Polymeric macrofibers, Punching shear, Raft foundation, Systematic review

Abstract

The use of slab-on-grade and raft foundations demands efficient solutions for crack control and increased load-bearing capacity. The present study conducted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to analyze the technical feasibility of partially or totally replacing conventional reinforcement with synthetic macrofibers (polypropylene), focusing on flexural behavior, punching shear, and toughness. The search was conducted in the Scopus and Web of Science databases in February 2026, following the PRISMA 2020 protocol and limited to open access articles, resulting in the selection of 10 experimental and numerical articles published between 2021 and 2026. The results indicate that, although polypropylene fibers present a lower first-crack load compared to metallic reinforcement, they provide an average increase of 20% to 28% in ultimate load capacity and change the failure mode from brittle to pseudoductile. Studies highlight the efficacy of fibers in mitigating punching shear failures in flat slabs (up to 34% increase in load) and in compensating for stiffness loss in slabs with openings. The review also points to the superiority of hybrid systems (steel + polypropylene) and the need for non-linear calculation models, as traditional methods can overestimate resistance by up to 45%. It is concluded that polymeric macrofibers represent a robust alternative for shallow foundations, offering execution advantages and safe performance at the ultimate limit state.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biographies

Alcimar Araujo Milhomem, Federal Institute of Tocantins

Master’s student in the Professional Graduate Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Palmas Campus of the Federal Institute of Tocantins. Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil. Email address: alcimar.milhomem@estudante.ifto.edu.br. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9823-9959. Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/9232395963256268.

Gilson Marafiga Pedroso, Federal Institute of Tocantins

PhD in Structures and Civil Construction from the University of Brasília. Professor of the Professional Master’s Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Palmas Campus of the Federal Institute of Tocantins. Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil. Email address: gilson@ifto.edu.br. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1955-2265. Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/8706944310534943.

References

AL-ROUSAN, R. Z.; ALNEMRAWI, B. R. NLFEA of the behavior of polypropylene-fiber-reinforced concrete slabs with square opening. Buildings, [S. l.], v. 14, n. 2, p. 480, 2024. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14020480. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14020480

AL-ROUSAN, R. Z. Influence of macro synthetic fibers on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete slabs with opening. Civil Engineering Journal Iran, [S. l.], v. 8, n. 9, p. 2001-2021, 2022. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-09-016. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-09-016

CARDOSO, J. M. et al. Concreto com adição de pérolas de poliestireno expandido. Revista Sítio Novo, Palmas, v. 8, n. 3, p. 16-24, jul./set. 2024. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.47236/2594-7036.2024.v8.i3.16-24p. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47236/2594-7036.2024.v8.i3.16-24p

CÁRNIO, M. A.; VAZ, M. A.; DUARTE, I. O. Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete in Slab-on-Ground Foundations for Buildings. In: FIB CONCEPTUAL DESIGN SYMPOSIUM, 2025, [S. l.]. Anais [...]. Disponível em: https://doity.com.br/anais/fib/trabalho/431670. Acesso em: 31 jul. 2026.

CHAOBIN, H. et al. Study on the hybrid effect of chopped fiber and basalt fiber textile on the flexural behavior of two-way concrete slabs. Case Studies in Construction Materials, [S. l.], v. 23, p. e05027, 2025. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05027. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05027

EISA, M. S.; BASIOUNY, M. E.; YOUSSEF, A. M. Improvement of load carrying capacity of concrete pavement slabs using macro synthetic fibers. Coatings, [S. l.], v. 11, n. 7, p. 833, 2021. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings11070833. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings11070833

HASSANLI, R. et al. Investigation of punching shear performance in concrete slabs reinforced with GFRP and synthetic fibers: an experimental study. Engineering Structures, [S. l.], v. 311, p. 118215, 2024. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.118215. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.118215

KHAN, Q. U. Z. et al. Experimental and finite element analysis of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete two-way slabs at ultimate limit state. SN Applied Sciences, [S. l.], v. 3, n. 1, p. 73, 2021. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-04078-y. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-04078-y

KUMBASAROGLU, A. et al. Effect of polypropylene fibers on the development lengths of reinforcement bars of slabs. Case Studies in Construction Materials, [S. l.], v. 15, p. e00680, 2021. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00680. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00680

LEITE, A. M. Avaliação do uso da macrofibra polimérica na composição de concreto para fins estruturais. 2018. 257 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Engenharia Civil) - Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, 2018. Disponível em: https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/18/18134/tde-23042018-094235/publico/ME2018_AlexMacedoLeite.pdf. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026..

MINH, Q. C. et al. Flexural response and structural efficiency of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete slabs. Buildings, [S. l.], v. 15, n. 24, p. 4436, 2025. DOI: 10.3390/buildings15244436. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15244436. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15244436

SHI, F. et al. Comparative performance analysis of ground slabs and beams reinforced with macro polypropylene fibre, steel fibre, and steel mesh. Structures, [S. l.], v. 56, p. 104920, 2023. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2023.104920. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2023.104920

SON, D. H. et al. Flexural strength of composite deck slab with macro synthetic fiber reinforced concrete. Applied Sciences, [S. l.], v. 11, n. 4, p. 1662, 2021. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041662. Acesso em: 28 jan. 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041662

Published

2026-08-07

How to Cite

MILHOMEM, Alcimar Araujo; PEDROSO, Gilson Marafiga. Structural analysis of slab-on-grade and raft foundations reinforced with polymeric macrofibers: a systematic review. Sítio Novo Magazine, Palmas, v. 10, p. e2142, 2026. DOI: 10.47236/2594-7036.2026.v10.2142. Disponível em: https://sitionovo.ifto.edu.br/index.php/sitionovo/article/view/2142. Acesso em: 9 aug. 2026.

Issue

Section

Artigo Científico