HYBRID FIBER REINFORCEMENT SYSTEMS COMBINING STEEL FIBERS WITH SYNTHETIC FIBERS IN CONCRETE: A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Hybrid fiber systems combining steel and synthetic fibers offer synergistic advantages by enhancing fracture management at various scales and augmenting ductility and energy absorption capability (Akbulut et al., 2025). This abstract synthesizes findings on how steel fibers improve tensile strength, fracture toughness, and post-cracking performance through their rigidity and mechanical interlocking, whereas synthetic fibers mitigate shrinkage-induced micro-cracking and enhance ductility. Recent investigations utilizing scanning electron microscopy have demonstrated that steel fibers establish thick interfacial zones facilitating effective stress transfer, whereas synthetic fibers reduce micro-crack formation and enhance long-term durability. The combination yields superior performance compared to single-fiber reinforcement systems across compressive strength, flexural capacity, and energy dissipation measures. However, optimal fiber configurations and sustainable fiber substitutes remain underexplored research areas. Future investigations should examine multi-scale reinforcing techniques and sustainable fiber alternatives. The standardization of testing methodologies and cost–benefit analyses is essential to promote industrial deployment of hybrid fiber-reinforced high-performance concrete systems.