Steel Fiber Reinforced Lightweight Lytag Concrete: An Investigation of Splitting Tensile Strength and Compressive Properties

Abstract

This study explores the effect of steel fiber content on the mechanical properties of Lytag concrete, a lightweight concrete alternative. Splitting tensile tests were conducted on six Lytag concrete mixes containing varying fiber volume percentages (0%, 1%, and 2%). The results demonstrate a significant improvement in splitting tensile strength with increasing fiber content. All fiber-reinforced mixes surpassed the Eurocode 2 (EC2) recommendations for similar strength class lightweight concrete, highlighting the effectiveness of steel fibers in enhancing tensile resistance. Compressive behavior was evaluated using cube specimens. While fiber addition improved post-cracking, behavior compared to plain concrete, the elastic modulus of all fiber-reinforced cubes fell short of EC2 recommendations. Additionally, prisms exhibited lower peak loads compared to cubes due to their geometry. The steel fiber content in Lytag beams displayed a positive correlation with both peak load capacity and ductility. However, proper fiber distribution during casting is crucial, as uneven dispersion can negatively impact flexural performance. Incorporating steel fibers offers a valuable approach to improving the tensile and flexural performance of Lytag concrete for applications experiencing these stresses.