Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Evaluation of Residual Strength Properties of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete
by F.A.Olutoge, V. Bhashya, G. Ramesh, B. Hanumantharai, S. Sundar Kumar

Abstract:
This study evaluated the residual strength properties of concrete reinforced with steel fibers. The objective was to determine its role in improving some of the mechanical properties of concrete. The purpose and significant of the study is to confirm the ability of steel fibres to prevent the onset of cracking as well as propagation of cracks in the concrete structures. This is evident by the higher residual strength properties of the specimen investigated. A total of 12 cubes (100m3), 12 cylinders (100mm diameter and 200mm height)and 21 prisms (100x100x400mm) were cast in the present investigation. After 28days of curing, the cubes, cylinders and prisms were subjected to compressive, split tensile and residual strength tests respectively. Residual strength test data was obtained from reloading of cracked beam specimens in a four point bending test. The compressive strength test results increased from 47MPa 0% fibre volume to 48MPa at 0.5% fibre volume. This value however decreased to 45MPa at 0.75% fibre volume, indicating that the injection of straight steel fibres have little influence on the compressive strength. The split tensile test result increased steadily from 3.17MPa at 0% fibre volume to 5.66MPa at 1% fibre volume indicating that addition of steel fibres to concrete enhanced its tensile strength. The residual strength test result also showed an increment in the average residual strength from 1.81mpa at 0.5% to 3.37MPa at 1% fibre volume. This study has confirmed that addition of steel fibres to concrete enhanced its tensile and residual strength properties.

Keywords: Steel fibre, Residual strength, Fracture Resistance, Cyclic loading, split tensile strength.

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