RETRACTED: Influence of steel fibres on the mechanical and physical performance of self-compacting concrete manufactured with waste materials and fillers

Abstract

• Simultaneous use of SF and RM improves the mechanical properties of SCC. • Cement substituting showed to be proficient of improving the behaviour of SCC. • Using RM and LS were observed to be more cohesive mixes than mixes containing G. • Using Marble and SF indicates the best mechanical properties of SCC. Reducing waste materials content plays an important role in protecting the environment. Conversely, emitted gases from factories during the production of some industry materials, such as cement have harmful effects on the environment and human health. In this study, both fresh and hardened state properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC), containing waste materials, including red mud (RM) granite (G), limestone (LS) and marble (M) is investigated. RM is used as a partial replacement of cement at five different substituting contents: 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% (in term of weight). Also, G, LS and M are used as fillers in different mixes, separately (100 kg/m 3 ). To improve the properties of mixes, steel fibres (SF) are also added at volume percentages of 0%, 0.1% and 0.2%. A total of 37 mixes are produced, and slump, compressive and tensile strength, water absorption, electric resistivity, durability against sulfuric acid and reduction in compressive resistance after the sulfuric acid attack are measured. The obtained outcomes indicated that SF has a substantial influence on improving the rheological performance of SCC, particularly when 2.5% RM with G were used. Additionally, a slight improvement in the compressive strength after acid immersion was observed when 0.1% SF were used; however, there is no substantial difference between the compressive strength of SCC having 0.1% SF and those containing 0.2% SF, against sulfuric acid attack.