Abstract
The production and use of durable materials in construction are considered as one of the most challenging things for the professional engineers. Therefore, this research was conducted to investigate the mechanical properties and the durability by using of different percentages of steel fiber with high-strength flowable mortar (HSFM) and also the use of the hybridization of steel fibers, palm fibers, and synthetic fiber (Barchip). Different experimental tests (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and static modulus of elasticity among others) were determined after 90 days of normal water curing and 180 days of seawater exposure. The results indicate that hybrid fibers of 1.5% steel fibers + 0.25% palm fibers + 0.25% Barchip fibers provide significant improvement in the different mechanical properties of HSFM. Besides, the hybridization of fibers was found to be effective in the terms of durability (exposure to seawater). Therefore, the minimum reduction in static modulus of elasticity, compressive, splitting and flexural strength was obtained for the HSFM mixes of hybrid fibers using steel fibers with palm fibers and also for the use of steel, palm, and Barchip fibers.
Highlights
High-strength concrete or mortar subjected to axial compression is known to be a brittle material with almost no strain-softening behavior
The compressive strength results of high-strength flowable mortar (HSFM) reinforced by hybrid fibers of 1.5% steel fibers + 0.25%
Palm fibers + 0.25% Barchip fibers provide a significant increase in the compressive strength of cement mortar; (ii) the flexural strength of HSFM mixes containing steel fibers increased with the increasing volume fraction
Summary
High-strength concrete or mortar subjected to axial compression is known to be a brittle material with almost no strain-softening behavior. Adding fibers to plain matrix has little or no effect on its precracking behavior but does substantially enhance its postcracking response, which leads to a greatly improved toughness and impact behavior [1]. Shah and Naaman [3] investigated tensile strength, flexural strength, and compressive strength tests on mortar specimens reinforced with steel fibers. It was observed that the tensile or flexural strength of steel fiber-reinforced mortar was at least two to three times higher than that of plain mortar. The addition of steel fibers at higher dosages has some disadvantages in terms of poor workability and higher cost. The high stiffness of steel fibers in the matrix means that voids and honeycombs could be formed during placing as a result of improper compaction at low workability. In order for good flow ability of mortar, the addition of two or three different fiber types can yield the optimum performance [4, 5]
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