Marine Curing of Steel Fiber Composites

Abstract

With the attractive possibility of offshore concrete casting in mind, the effects of marine curing on the pull‐out behavior of steel fibers were investigated. Single fiber pull‐out specimens were chosen to clearly examine the behavior of individual fibers. Three curing temperatures of 2°, 22°, and 38 °C were chosen. Deformed fibers with hooks on both ends were chosen. The effects of silica fume addition were also investigated. Pull‐out resistances were continuously monitored by conducting tests starting at the age of 1 day up to about 3 months. In some cases, the tests were extended to an age of 1 year. Some fibers were retrieved and examined in a scanning electron microscope. Curing at a low temperature of 2 °C was not found to adversely affect the pull‐out resistance even after one year of continuous marine exposure. High temperatures, however, were found to promote an early corrosion leading to substantial reductions in pull‐out resistances. The presence of silica fume was not found to promote strength retrogression in any particular way. The deformed locations of the fibers, perhaps because of the residual stresses, were found to be particularly susceptible to anodic pitting.