An experimental study on the performance of fine-grained concrete incorporating recycled steel spring exposed to acidic conditions

Abstract

This article aims to study the effects of adding steel fibers and galvanized recycled spring on mechanical properties and crack development in the fine-grained concrete exposed to the acidic environment containing magnesium sulfate. To this end, specimens containing 0.3% and 0.6% of steel fibers and springs, respectively, by concrete volume, were built in normal temperature using 10 cm × 20 cm standard steel formworks so as to conduct the compressive and tensile strength tests. All specimens were cured in 28 days exposed to the environment containing 0%, 5%, and 10% of magnesium sulfate. Based on the results, addition of steel fibers and recycled spring improves the compressive and tensile strength by 50% and 60%, respectively. Moreover, the specimens containing recycled spring better withstood against the acidic environments in comparison with the specimens including steel fibers. In general, it was found that due to the negligible difference between the strength of the specimens, the application of metal-recycled spring in the fine-grained concrete is technically and economically justifiable.