Multi-leg fiber reinforced concrete

Abstract

The multi-leg fiber reinforced concrete is concrete in which fibers have been embedded to prevent the concrete from being fractured due to cracks developing therein. Each fiber has multiple legs, defining two and three dimensional structures. At least one fiber is embedded in a volume of concrete, where the at least one fiber has at least first and second legs respectively extending along first and second directions. The first and second directions are angularly oriented with respect to one another between 45° and 135°, with each of the first and second legs having a free end and a fixed end. Each free end has a substantially Z-shaped contour. The fixed ends of the first and second legs may be joined together to define a two-dimensional fiber structure. The at least one fiber may be partially coated with a polymeric material, such as polypropylene.

1 . A multi-leg fiber reinforced concrete, comprising:
 a volume of concrete; and   at least one elongated steel fiber embedded in the volume of concrete, the at least one fiber having opposing ends, each of the opposing ends of the at least one fiber defining a hook, the at least one fiber having a central portion extending between the hooked ends, the central portion having a plurality of consecutive legs, each of the legs and the next consecutive leg in the central portion defining an angle measuring between 45° and 135°; and   a polymeric coating partially coating the at least one steel fiber.   
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The multi-leg fiber reinforced concrete as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one steel fiber comprises braided fiber. 
     
     
         6 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The multi-leg fiber reinforced concrete as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric coating comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         16 . The multi-leg fiber reinforced concrete according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of consecutive legs consists of two legs disposed in the central portion, the two legs being joined directly together to define the vertex of an angle measuring between 45° and 135°. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-leg fiber reinforced concrete according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of consecutive legs consists of three legs disposed in the central portion, the three legs including:
 a first leg and a second leg joined directly together to define the vertex of an angle measuring between 45° and 135°; and   a third leg joined directly together with the second leg to define the vertex of an angle measuring between 45° and 135°, the first and second legs defining a first plane and the second and third legs defining a second plane orthogonal to the first plane.   
     
     
         18 . The multi-leg fiber reinforced concrete according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of consecutive legs consists of six legs disposed in the central portion, the six legs including first through sixth legs joined together directly in consecutive order in the central portion of the fiber, each of the legs defining an angle measuring between 45° and 135° with the next consecutive leg. 
     
     
         19 . The multi-leg fiber reinforced concrete according to  claim 1 , wherein the hook defined by each of the opposing ends of said at least one fiber includes a 45° bend.