Experimental Studies on Acid Resistance of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Self-compacting Concrete (SCC)

Abstract

AbstractExperimental studies conducted on the acid resistance concerning the durability of steel fiber self-compacting concrete (SFSCC) are presented in detail. Durability is an important property required for concrete in the hardened state. Acid resistance is an important feature of durability. The life and sustainability of structural concrete depend on good durability. The SCC is designed with supplementary cementatious materials like flyash, condensed silica fume at optimum replacement to ordinary Portland cement, and it becomes triple-blended SCC. In the present experimental work, acid resistance studies are conducted by exposing the steel fiber-reinforced triple-blended SCC specimens to 5% hydrochloric acid (HCL) and 5% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solutions separately. Ordinary mild steel wires of diameter 1 mm were adopted at a limiting aspect ratio of 40. The durations were varying from 0 to 28 days. Specimens of size 100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm were cast with various percentages of steel fiber from 0.2% to the optimum of 0.8%. The aspect ratio of the steel fibers is kept constant at the optimum value of 40. Specimens with basic SCC mixes, mineral admixtures without fibers were also cast. All these specimens were cured for the required period and tested for acid resistance. The specimens were immersed in 5% HCL and 5% H2SO4 solutions over periods of 0, 7, and 28 days. Three specimens were prepared for each combination. The change occurring from acidity to alkalinity over a while was found in the case of hydrochoric acid and sulfuric acid solutions.KeywordsAcid resistanceAspect ratioCondensed silica fumeFlyashSteel fiberSuperplasticizerViscosity modifying agent