Comparative Study on the Mechanical Properties of Steel Fiber Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete

Abstract

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a flowable concrete which can consolidate under its own weight without the need of external vibration. The highly fluid nature of SCC makes it suitable for placing in difficult environments like congested reinforcement and thinner sections. Use of SCC can also help in decreasing noise pollution at worksites which is caused by vibration of concrete. SCC is used in bridges, buildings, and tunnel construction. The addition of small closely spaced and uniformly dispersed fibres to concrete would act as a crack resistor and would substantially improve its properties. This type of concrete is known as fibre reinforced concrete. In fact, the fibre reinforcement mechanisms can convert the brittle behaviour of this cement-based material into a pseudo-ductile behaviour up to a crack width that is acceptable under the structural design point-of-view. Fibre addition, however, increases the complexity of the mix design process, due to the strong perturbation effect that steel fibres cause on fresh concrete flow. In the present study, the effect of steel fibres on fresh and hardened properties are studied by adding steel fibres of different percentages such as 0%, 1% and 2% for M70 grade of concrete. An experimental investigation has been carried out to determine different properties like workability and strength of Fiber Reinforced Self Compact Concrete and Self- Compacting Concrete (SCC). For testing the properties of SCC and Fiber Reinforced SCC (FRSCC) in fresh state slump-flow, T50 Test, L-box, U-box, and V-funnel tests were conducted. Whereas for testing the properties in hardened state compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strengths are carried out. Detailed studies have revealed that the Steel Fiber Reinforced Self Compacting Concrete made with the Steel fibres displays a better performance. The investigations and results are presented from the study. Index Terms: Self compacting concrete, Steel fibre reinforced concrete, Super plasticizer, Silica fume, Fly ash, Steel fibre.