Coupling effect of fly ash, metakaoline and different types of steel fibers on mechanical performance of concrete

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the most efficient and potential steel fiber among all four i.e. hooked, crimped, twisted and straight, that contributes in boosting the performance and quality of concrete after extensive examinations. Several concrete mixes were examined, incorporated with fly ash (FA) and metakaoline (MK) in various proportions i.e. FA15%+MK4.5%, FA20%+MK9%, FA25%+MK13.5%, FA30%+MK18% and each composition is reinforced with four types of steel fibers in varying fractions of 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% to examine the potential of steel fibers in enhancing the properties of concrete for 28 days and 56 days curing period. After exclusive experimentations, it was finally confirmed that hooked steel fibers composite concrete mixes contributed the best performance among all other types of steel fibers whereas straight steel fibers showed a minimal performance compared to other steel fibers, which establish more important significance of steel fibers and its contributions in enhancing the performance of concrete.