A Study on Mechanical and Durability Aspects of Concrete Modified with Steel Fibers (SFs)

Abstract

Concrete is weak in tension and strong in compression which results in brittle failure. This is obviously unacceptable for any construction materials. Thus, concrete requires some type of tensile reinforcement to balance its brittle behavior and improves its tensile strength. Adding of fibers is one of the most prevalent techniques to enhance the tensile behavior of concrete. Fiber slows cracking phenomena and increases energy absorption capacity of the structure. Majority researchers focus on mechanical performance of fiber reinforced concrete. In this research, the influence of various dosages of steel fibers (0%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%, and 4.0% by weight of cement) is investigated on the mechanical and durability properties of concrete. Mechanical properties such as compressive strength and split tensile strength are studied at 7-and 28-days curing. To evaluate the durability aspects of each mix, various parameters such as water absorption, acid attack resistance, and permeability are investigated. Results indicate that strength was increased up to 2% addition of steel fiber and then reduced gradually. It also indicates that, durability parameter of concrete for example water absorption, permeability, and acid attack resistance considerably improved with incorporation of steel fibers at 2.0% incorporation of steel fibers. Therefore, it is recommended to mix steel fibers up 2.0% by weight of cement to achieved maximum benefits.

A step towards sustainable glass fiber reinforced concrete utilizing silica fume and waste coconut shell aggregate

“…Although it has been reported that excess amount of coconut shell aggregates reduces strength due to poor bond between cement paste resulting in porous concrete. Fibers controls and constrain the development of cracks in concrete caused both in the plastic and hardened stage of concrete hence confirming a more durable concrete 30 , 31 , 33 . Furthermore, silica fume enhances density due to pozzolanic reaction i.e.…”

“…Figure 5 presents the split tensile strength of different mixes while its standard deviation and coefficient of variation for 7 and 28 days is displayed in Table 8 . Adding glass fibers to concrete impressively enhances the concrete flexural and split tensile attributes during the hardened stage, for example, rigidity, flexural strength, toughness, and flexibility 30 . Past examinations have demonstrated that the consideration of fibers fundamentally enhances the split tensile strength of lightweight aggregate concrete 31 , 32 .…”

Effect of Incorporation of Rice Husk Ash Instead of Cement on the Performance of Steel Fibers Reinforced Concrete

“…This is due to fact that steel fibers act as crack arresters and prevent the propagation of a crack in hardening concrete (Ahmad et al, 2020b). It has also been reported that, with the addition of superplasticizer, the workability of concrete improved, results in decreased voids in concrete (Borsoi et al, 2000;Ahmad et al, 2020b). Increasing voids' volume depicts lower bonding in concrete and can raise the ultrasonic pulse velocity of concrete (Ahmad et al, 2020b).…”

“…The volume of voids increased from 14.62 to 18.45%. This is due to fact that steel fibers act as crack arresters and prevent the propagation of a crack in hardening concrete (Ahmad et al, 2020b). It has also been reported that, with the addition of superplasticizer, the workability of concrete improved, results in decreased voids in concrete (Borsoi et al, 2000;Ahmad et al, 2020b).…”

“…The reduction in water absorption is because of the rise in workability superplasticizer (Alsadey, 2015) as well as the crack prevention of steel fibers resulting in fewer voids. It has been reported that SF reduces water absorption due to crack prevention (Ahmad et al, 2020b). An increase in water absorption signifies lower durability of concrete when adding higher percentages of RHA without the addition of steel fibers and superplasticizer.…”