Workability and Mechanical Performance of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete with Fly Ash

TLDR

Steel fibers alter hardened concrete properties, but they reduce fresh concrete workability, while self‑compacting concrete can flow and fill formwork without vibration. The study investigates composites of self‑compacting concrete with steel fibers to enhance their properties. The mix used a water/cement ratio of 0.40 with 400 kg/m³ cement, 120 kg/m³ fly ash, 6 kg/m³ superplasticizer, and steel fibers at 15–60 kg/m³, and fluidity, filling ability, and segregation were assessed by slump flow, J‑ring, and V‑funnel tests. Mixing and workability were unaffected and fiber distribution remained uniform, while steel fibers significantly increased SCC toughness and inhibited crack initiation and growth. Keywords: fiber‑reinforced cement concrete rheology self‑compacting concrete fly ash.

Abstract

Abstract Steel fibers change the properties of hardened concrete significantly. However, addition of fibers to fresh concrete results in a loss of workability. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is an innovative concrete that is able to flow under its own weight, completely filling formwork and achieving full compaction without vibration. We have studied composites of SCC with steel fibers for further property enhancement. Water/cement ratio and cement, fly ash and superplasticizer contents were kept constant at 0.40, 400, 120 and 6 kg/m3 , respectively. The fiber amounts were 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg/m3. Slump flow, J-ring and V-funnel tests were conducted for evaluating the fluidity, filling ability and segregation risk of the fresh concretes. There were no problems with mixing or workability while the fiber distribution was uniform. Steel fibers can significantly enhance toughness of SCC and inhibit the initiation and growth of cracks. Keywords: FIBER-REINFORCED CEMENTCONCRETE RHEOLOGYSELF-COMPACTING CONCRETEFLY ASH