The effect of different types of fiber on flexure strength and fracture toughness in SIFCON

Abstract

Abstract Slurry Infiltrated Fiber Concrete (SIFCON) is a special kind of steel fiber-reinforced cement composite which has extraordinary toughness values and surpassing mechanical characteristics like compressive, tensile, shear, and flexural strengths. In this study, steel and polypropylene fibers have been used by mixing in different combinations. 1/1, 1/3 and 2/3 of the beam molds have been filled with these fibers. In the study, the physical and mechanical properties and also the unit strength cost analyses of SIFCON have been examined. The use of the fibers with combinations has caused to an increase in the fiber volume. The highest flexural strength values have been reached with the beam samples completely filled with fiber respectively as 44.02 MPa and 41.23 MPa with the steel fiber at the length of 60 mm and 35 mm and with 60 mm steel and 50 mm polypropylene fiber combination. The combined use of polypropylene fiber and steel fiber has increased the flexural strength and fracture toughness. Consequently; it has been observed that the polypropylene fiber provides significant advantages for the use of SIFCON in terms of unit weight and cost due to the fact that its density and cost are lower when compared to those of the steel fiber.