Formulation and study of metal fiber-reinforced reactive powder concrete

Abstract

PurposeReactive powder concretes (RPCs) are new concretes characterized by a particle diameter not exceeding 600 µm and very high compressive and tensile strengths. This paper aims to the development and study of the physico-mechanical, elastic properties and durability of an ultra-high performance concrete from materials existing on the Algerian market.Design/methodology/approachThree mineral additions such as granulated slag, quartz powder and silica fume are incorporated into the cement with 15, 23 and 25 per cent, respectively, in addition to use two different values of steel fiber volume fraction (2 and 2.5 per cent). The results show that the incorporation of 2.5 per cent metal fibers in the formulation of the RPC gives a high compressive strengths of 143.5 MPa at 60 days. The relationship between the relative value and the longitudinal elasto-instantaneous deformations of the RPC to a linear characteristic throughout the relative stress ranges. Also, the modulus of elasticity developed for a fiber-reinforced reactive concrete is greater than that of the unbound fiber.FindingsResults from the current study concluded that the presence of the mineral additions improves the durability of the concretes compared with that not adjuvanted by mineral additions.Originality/valueIt can be possible to manufacture fiber-reinforced reactive powder concretes (RPCFs) with compressive strength exceeding 140 MPa, with an adequate plasticity, despite the simplicity of means and materials and the incorporation of different percentage of metal fiber on the mechanical strength of concretes and its influence on behavior with respect to aggressive environment were achieved.