Improving the flexural toughness behavior of R.C beams using micro/nano silica and steel fibers

Abstract

Experimental investigation has been conducted to study the effect of using Micro/Nano Silica in presence of steel fibers on improving the static response of reinforced concrete beams. Twenty-one mixtures were prepared with micro silica (MS), Nano silica (NS) and steel fibers (SFs) at different percentages. Cement was replaced by 10% and 15% of Micro silica and 1%, 2% and 3% of Nano silica in the presence of steel fibers at different volume fractions 0%, 1%, and 2%. 258 concrete samples, (126 cubes, 63 cylinders, 63 prisms, and six R.C beams), were investigated experimentally in two stages. The first stage was to investigate the mechanical properties of the prepared mixtures. The second stage was to study the static behavior of R.C beams, using the designed concrete mixtures, under a four-point flexural test. The results showed that replacing cement by (10% MS and 1% NS) produces the optimum mix with a significant improvement in the mechanical properties and the response of R.C beams under static loads. In addition, incorporating steel fibers at different volume fractions have a considerable effect on the flexural toughness of concrete mixes.