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The effect of type and volume fraction (VF) of steel ber on the mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete
S. Ghanbarpour
Department of Civil Engineering, Mazandaran University of Science and Technology, Babol, Iran, and

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Received 19 August 2009 Accepted 20 August 2009

H. Mazaheripour, S.H. Mirmoradi and A. Barari

Department of Civil Engineering, Babol University of Technology, Babol, Iran
Abstract
Purpose Self-compacting concrete (SCC) offers several economic and technical benets; the use of steel bers extends its possibilities. Steel bers bridge cracks, retard their propagation, and improve several characteristics and properties of the SCC. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of type and volume fraction of steel ber on the compressive strength, split tensile strength, exural strength and modulus of elasticity of steel ber reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC). Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, Micro wire and Wave type steel bers with l/d ratios of 50 were used. Three different ber volumes were added to concrete mixes at 0.5, 0.75 and 1 per cent by volume of SCC. Six different SFRSCC mixes were prepared. After 28 days of curing, compressive, split and exural strength and modulus of elasticity were determined. Findings It was found that, inclusion of steel bers signicantly affect the split tensile and exural strength of SCC accordance with type and vf. Besides, mathematical expressions were developed to estimate the exural, modulus of elasticity and split tensile strength of SFRSCCs regarding of compressive strength. Originality/value It was found that inclusion of steel bers signicantly affected the split tensile and exural strength of SCC accordance with type and f v. Keywords Concretes, Steel, Mechanical properties of materials Paper type Research paper

1. Introduction Self-compacting concrete (SCC), a new kind of high-performance concrete with excellent deformability and segregation resistance, was rst developed in Japan in 1986. It is a special kind concrete that can ow through and ll the gaps of reinforcement and corners of molds without any need for vibration and compaction during the placing process (Okamura, 1997; Okamura et al., 1993). Self-compacting concretes are made using an innovative world renowned technology widely used in the vast eld of construction. The increasingly extensive developments in the construction industry throughout the world along with the need for the application of concretes with such qualities as of the SCC, has lead to many studies on such types of concretes. SCC, requiring no consolidation work at site or concrete plants. SCC has high ow ability and a moderate viscosity, and no blocking may occur during ow; the concrete has to de-air by itself during casting. Several mix design methods for SCC were

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology Vol. 8 No. 3, 2010 pp. 247-256 q Emerald Group Publishing Limited 1726-0531 DOI 10.1108/17260531011086144

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proposed by Okamura and Ouchi (1999), Petersson and Billberg (1999) and Sedran and de Larrard (1999). In Japan, SCC has been used for large ofce buildings and also for advanced types of extruded tunnels in combination with steel bers (Persson, 1998a, b). Okamuras method conducts the cement paste and mortar test before moving onto evaluating properties of the superplasticizer (SP), cement, ne aggregate and pozzolanic material for saving the process from the redundancy of unnecessary testing, although its complicated procedure makes it difcult to apply to companies which manufacture the ready-mixed concrete. In steel ber reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCCs), the most important factors affecting the concrete properties are type and vf of bers. l/d ratio is important at mixing and replacement stages of normal concrete production (ACI Committee 544, 1993). Generally, l/d aspect ratios of steel bers used in normal concrete mix are varied between 50 and 100. But in SCC, the suitable l/d ratio is equal 50 because of ow ability and no blocking. The most suitable vf values for concrete mixes are between 0.5 and 2.5 per cent by volume of concrete (Persson, 1998b). The most important effect of vitreous, synthetic, carbon and steel bers used in conventional concrete is prevention of crack propagation in concrete. Thus, extension and propagation of micro cracks that occur due to internal stress in concrete are prevented by stress transfer capability of bers. According to their shape and quantity, bers bear some stress that occurs in cement matrix themselves and transfer the other portion of stress at stable cement matrix portions (Bentur and Mindness, 1990; Bentur, 1989). Use of bers into SCC mixes has been presented by many researchers (Khayat and Roussel, 1999; Sahmaran et al., 2005). In this research, the effect of type and volume fraction vf of steel bers on the compressive strength, split tensile strength, exural strength and modulus of elasticity of SFRSCC were assessed. For this purpose, Micro wire and Wave type steel bers with l/d ratios of 50 were used. Three different ber volumes were added to concrete mixes at 0.5, 0.75 and 1 per cent by volume of concrete. Seven different SCC mixes (one control six ber reinforced) were produced. After 28 days of standard curing, compressive, split and exural strength were determined. 2. Experimental study In order to produce SFRSCC, Type II Portland cement produced in the Neka factory in Iran with a 3.15 g/cm3 density and specic surface 3,670 cm2/g along with micro Silica fume (GS 2.1) and limestone powder (GL 2.7) (Pera et al., 1999), crushed aggregate with maximum size of 10 mm, Micro wire and Wave type steel bers and SP were used in this study. The aggregates were separated into two different size fractions as 0-5 mm (AI), 5-10 mm (AII). SSD specic gravity of AI and AII aggregates were 2.58 and 2.64, respectively. The absorption capacity of AI and AII aggregates were 1.32 per centand 0.75 per cent, respectively. Aggregates were recombined to a specied uniform grading during mixing (Dehn, 2000). The blend consisted of 55 per cent AI and 45 per cent AII. Fineness modulus of the mixture is 3. Micro wire and Wave type steel bers with ratios of 50 were used. The diameter and length of steel bers are 0.5 and 25 mm, respectively. The tensile strength of steel bers were 1,000 MPa. Three different ber volumes were added to each series of mixes at 0.5, 0.75 and 1 per cent by volume of concrete. In addition, a Plastiment-p10 type SP was added to concrete mixes at

2 per cent by weight of cement. The proportioning and description of the concrete mixtures are summarized in Table I. 2.1 Mixing and curing The procedures for mixing the steel ber reinforced SCC involved the following. First, the gravel and sand were placed in a concrete mixer and dry mixed for 1 min. Second, the cement, limestone powder and micro silica were spread and dry mixed for 1 min. Third, the mixing water and super plasticizer were slowly added and mixed for 3 min. After which, the specied amount of bers was distributed and mixed for 3 min. Finally, the freshly mixed ber reinforced SCC was fed into the 150 mm cubes and 100 200 and 150 300 cm cylinder and into the beam molds 100 100 500 cm. After the feeding operation, each of the specimens was allowed to stand for 24 h before demolding, stored in drinking water at 23 centigrade for 28 days, and then removed and kept at room temperature until the time of testing. The compressive strength was determined on 150 mm cubes at 28 days. In addition, exural strength test were performed on 100 100 500 mm prismatic specimens according to ASTM C78. In addition split tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity test were performed on 100 200 and 150 300 cylinder specimens according to ASTM C496. Totally, 84 concrete cube specimens, 35 concrete prismatic specimens and 49 cylinder specimens were cast and tested from six different SFRSCC mixtures and one SCC for control. 3. Results and discussion In this section, the obtained results of the tests are separately discussed and evaluated by presenting different diagrams. 3.1 Slump ow and unit weight Slump ow and unit weight test results of six different SFRSCC mixes are shown in Table II. As shown in this table, slump ow diameter values of SFRSCC vary between 72 and 78 cm. Test results showed that slump ow diameter of SFRSCC decreased as the vf increased and T50 of SFRSCC increased as the vf increased. Not surprisingly, steel bers raise the unit weight of all tested SCC.
Batch weight (kg/m3) l/d Micro Limestone Mixture code ratio Vf (%) Cement silica powder Water SP Sand Gravel Steel ber SCC WSFRSCC1 WSFRSCC2 WSFRSCC3 MSFRSCC4 MSFRSCC5 MSFRSCC6 50 50 50 50 50 50 0.50 0.75 1.00 0.50 1.75 1.00 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 225 225 225 225 225 225 225 184 184 184 184 184 184 184 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 759 759 759 759 759 759 759 622 622 622 622 622 622 622 39 58.5 78 39 38.5 78

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Notes: WSFRSCC, wave steel ber reinforced self-compacting concrete; MSFRSCC, micro steel ber reinforced self-compacting concrete; aggregates were used in saturated-surface dry (SSD) condition in the concrete mixtures

Table I. Mix proportions and description of concrete mixtures

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3.2 L-box L-box test results of six different SFRSCC mixes are shown in Table III. As shown in this table, H2/H1, T20 and T40 values of SFRSCC vary between (0.88-1), (2.1-2.6) and (3-3.83), respectively. Test results showed that H2/H1 of SFRSCC decreased as the vf increased and T20, T40 of SFRSCC increased as the vf increased. 3.3 V-funnel and U-box V-funnel and U-box test results of six different steel ber reinforced SCC mixes are shown in Table IV. As shown in this table, V-funnel time values of SFRSCC vary between 10.75 and 11.93 second. Test results showed that V-funnel time of SFRSCC increased as the vf increased and U-box (H2 2 H1) of SFRSCC increased as the vf increased. Not surprisingly, steel bers raise the V-funnel time and U-box values of all tested SCC. 3.4 Compressive strength The 28-day compressive strength values of SFRSCCs are given in Table V. Compressive strength of SCC was 76.8 MPa. For wave type steel ber (SFRSCC1, 2, 3)
Mixture code SCC WSFRSCC1 WSFRSCC2 WSFRSCC3 MSFRSCC4 MSFRSCC5 MSFRSCC6 Slump ow (cm) 79 77 76 72 78 75 73 T50 (s) 3.05 3.52 4.00 5.00 3.12 3.93 4.87 Unit weight (kg/m3) 2,375 2,414 2,433.5 2,453 2,414 2,433.5 2,453

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Table II. Slump ow and unit weights of SFRSCC mixtures

Mixture code SCC WSFRSCC1 WSFRSCC2 WSFRSCC3 MSFRSCC4 MSFRSCC5 MSFRSCC6

H2/H1 1.00 1.00 0.93 0.88 1.00 0.94 0.90

T20 (s) 2.05 2.24 2.35 2.60 2.10 2.27 2.49

T40 (s) 2.95 3.02 3.19 3.83 3.00 3.11 3.65

Table III. L-box test of SFRSCC mixtures

Mixture code SCC WSFRSCC1 WSFRSCC2 WSFRSCC3 MSFRSCC4 MSFRSCC5 MSFRSCC6

V-funnel (time (s)) 10.75 11.02 11.37 11.93 10.93 11.20 11.85

U-box (H2 2 H1) 0.0 0.0 1.1 1.8 0.0 0.9 1.0

Table IV. V-funnel and U-box test of SFRSCC mixtures

Mixture code SCC WSFRSCC1 WSFRSCC2 WSFRSCC3 MSFRSCC4 MSFRSCC5 MSFRSCC6

Relative Fst Relative Relative vf (%) fc (MPa) fc (%) (MPa) fst (%) ff (MPa) ff (%) E (Mpa) 0.00 0.50 0.75 1.00 0.50 0.75 1.00 76.8 82.9 84.6 80.6 81.3 82.6 79.4 100 108 110 105 106 108 103 5.74 6.53 6.80 6.20 6.36 6.45 5.94 100 114 118 108 111 112 104 10.64 12.61 12.98 11.57 12.01 12.13 11.14 100 118 122 109 113 114 105 39,252.0 48,280.0 49,643.1 47,100.6 46,117.7 46,864.7 45,645.9

Relative (%) 100 123 126 120 117 119 116

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Table V. Mechanical properties of concrete mixtures

Note: Reported values are the average of six specimens

and micro type steel ber (SFRSCC4, 5, 6) the minimum and maximum compressive strength values are (80.6, 84.6) and (79.4, 82.6) MPa, respectively. The relative compressive strength values of SFRSCCs are also given in Table V. It can be seen from the results that, compressive strengths of SFRSCCs are higher about 3-10 per cent than control mixture. Compressive strengths of SFRSCCs of wave type steel ber (SFRSCC1, 2, 3) and micro type steel ber (SFRSCC4, 5, 6) are only increased up to 0.75 per cent ber volume. SFRSCCs with ber volume of 0.75 per cent have highest compressive strength for aspect ratio of 50. 3.5 Split tensile strength The split tensile strength values of SFRSCCs are given in Table V. Split tensile strength of SCC was 5.74 MPa. For wave type steel ber (SFRSCC1, 2, 3) and micro type steel ber (SFRSCC4, 5, 6) the minimum and maximum compressive strength values are (6.20, 6.80) and (5.94, 6.45) MPa, respectively. The relative split tensile strength values of SFRSCCs are also given in Table V. It can be seen from the results that, Split tensile strength of SFRSCCs are higher about 4-18 per cent than control mixture. Split tensile strength of SFRSCCs of wave type steel ber (SFRSCC1, 2, 3) and micro type steel ber (SFRSCC4, 5, 6) are only increased up to 0.75 per cent ber volume. Especially, utilization of 0.75 per cent ber volume is more efcient on the split tensile strength. 3.6 Flexural strength The exural strength values of SFRSCCs are given in Table V. Flexural strength of SCC was 10.64 MPa. For wave type steel ber (SFRSCC1, 2, 3) and micro type steel ber (SFRSCC4, 5, 6) the minimum and maximum compressive strength values are (11.57, 12.98) and (11.14,12.13) MPa, respectively. The relative exural strength values of SFRSCCs are also given in Table V. It can be seen from the results that, exural strength of SFRSCCs are higher about 5-22 per cent than control mixture. Flexural strength of SFRSCCs of wave type steel ber (SFRSCC1, 2, 3) and micro type steel ber (SFRSCC4, 5, 6) are only increased up to 0.75 per cent ber volume. SFRSCCs with ber volume of 0.75 have highest compressive strength for aspect ratio of 50. Steel bers signicantly improve the exural strength of SCC compared to the compressive and split tensile strength. Besides, exural strength of SFRSCC is signicantly improved with increasing vf until optimum volume fraction.

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3.7 Modulus of elasticity The modulus of elasticity values of SFRSCCs are given in Table V. Modulus of elasticity of SCC was 39,252 MPa. For wave type steel ber (SFRSCC1, 2, 3) and micro type steel ber (SFRSCC4, 5, 6) the minimum and maximum modulus of elasticity values are (47,100.6, 49,643.1) and (45,645.9, 46,864.7) MPa, respectively. The relative modulus of elasticity values of SFRSCCs are also given in Table V. It can be seen from the results that, modulus of elasticity of SFRSCCs are higher about 16-23 per cent than control mixture. Modulus of elasticity of SFRSCCs of wave type steel ber (SFRSCC1, 2, 3) and micro type steel ber (SFRSCC4, 5, 6) are only increased up to 0.75 per cent ber volume. SFRSCCs with ber volume of 0.75 have highest modulus of elasticity for aspect ratio of 50. 4. Statistical evaluation of test results 4.1 The equation between 28 days compressive strength values and seven days values A multiple linear regression analysis was used to obtain the following relationships between 28 days compressive strength values ( fc28) and seven days values ( fc7) kg/cm2 (Figure 1): 1 f c28 1:601f c7 4.2 The equation between exural strength (modulus of rupture) and square root of 28 days compressive strength values A multiple linear regression analysis was used to obtain the following relationships between exural strength (modulus of rupture) fr and square root of 28 days p compressive strength values ( f c28 ) kg/cm2 (Figure 2): p f r 1:43 f c28 2 4.3 The equation between split tensile strength and square root of 28 days compressive strength values A multiple linear regression analysis was used to obtain the following relationships between split tensile strength ( fst) and square root of 28 days compressive strength p values f c28 kg=cm2 (Figure 3): p f st 0:97 f c28 3
86 28 days values (Mpa) 84 82 80 78 76 46 48 50 52 54 Seven days compressive strength (Mpa) 56

Figure 1. The equation between 28 days strength values and seven days values

4.4 The equation between modulus of elasticity and square root of 28 days compressive strength values A multiple linear regression analysis was used to obtain the following relationships between modulus of elasticity (E) and square root of 28 days compressive strength p values f c28 kg=cm2 (Figure 4): p E 5; 569 f c28 4
14 Flexural strength (Mpa) 13 12 11 10 7.9 8 8.1 8.2 8.3 Square root of compressive strength (Mpa) 8.4

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Figure 2. The equation between modulus of rupture and square root of 28 days compressive strength values

7.2 Tensile strength (Mpa) 6.8 6.4 6 5.6 7.9 8 8.1 8.2 8.3 Square root of compressive strength (Mpa) 8.4

Figure 3. The equation between split tensile strength and square root of 28 days compressive strength values

60,000 Modulus of elasticity (Mpa) 55,000 50,000 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 7.9 8 8.1 8.2 8.3 Square root of compressive strength (Mpa) 8.4

Figure 4. The equation between modulus of elasticity and square root of 28 days compressive strength values

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5. Conclusions . Test results showed that the effect of wave steel ber is better than of micro steel ber to improve the properties of SCC. . Test results showed that slump ow diameter of SFRSCC decreased as the vf increased and T50 of SFRSCC increased as the vf increased. Not surprisingly, steel bers raise the unit weight of all tested SCC. . L-box test results showed that H2/H1 of SFRSCC decreased as the vf increased and T20, T40 of SFRSCC increased as the vf increased. . V-funnel and U-box test results showed that V-funnel time of SFRSCC increased as the vf increased and U-box (H2 2 H1) of SFRSCC increased as the vf increased. Not surprisingly, steel bers raise the V-funnel time and U-box values of all tested concrete. . Usage of steel ber in SCC increases the compressive strength of SFRSCC by about 3-10 per cent. . Usage of steel ber in SCC signicantly increases the split tensile and exural strength of concrete. Split tensile strength of SFRSCC is higher about 4-18 per cent than the SCC control mixture. Besides, exural strengths of SFRSCC are higher by about 5-22 per cent than SCC control mixture. In addition, exural strength of SFRSCC is higher than the split tensile and compressive strength. Besides, the increase in the exural strength of SFRSCCs is signicantly improved with increasing vf up to optimum vf. . Mathematical expressions were developed to estimate the equation between 28 days compressive strength values and seven days values of SFRSCC. A linear regression analysis was used to obtain the following relationships between 28 days compressive strength values ( fc28) and seven days values ( fc7): f c28 1:601f c7 1

It shows that the relationship between fc28 and fc7 for SCC is exactly like normal concrete that make with Type II Portland cement. Statistical evaluation of test results was used to calculate the equation between exural strength (modulus of rupture) and square root of 28 days compressive strength values. A linear regression analysis was used to obtain the following relationships: p 2 f r 1:43 f c28 We can compare this statistical evaluation with experimental equation that ACI present for normal concrete: p 5 f r 2 f c28 And it shows that the modulus of rupture of normal concrete is higher than of SCC. Because in SCC sand uses more than of gravel but in normal concrete gravel uses more than of sand for this reason fr in SCC is less than of normal concrete with the same compressive strength.

Mathematical expressions were developed to estimate the equation between fst p and f c28 a multiple linear regression analysis was used to obtain the following relationships between split tensile strength ( fst) and square root of 28 days p compressive strength values f c28 : p f st 0:97 f c28 3 We can compare this statistical evaluation with experimental equation that ACI present for normal concrete: p f st 1:6 to 1:85 f c28 6 And it shows that Split tensile strength ( fst) of normal concrete is higher than of SCC. Because in SCC sand uses more than of gravel but in normal concrete gravel uses more than of sand for this reason fst in SCC is less than of normal concrete with the same compressive strength. Statistical evaluation of test results was used to calculate the equation between modulus of elasticity and square root of 28 days compressive strength values. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to obtain the following relationships between modulus elasticity (E) and square root of 28 days p of compressive strength values ( f c28 ): p E 5; 569 f c28 4 We can compare this statistical evaluation with experimental equation that ACI present for normal concrete: p E 5; 000 f c28 7 And it shows that modulus of elasticity (E) of SCC is higher than of normal concrete. Because in SCC sand uses more than of gravel but in normal concrete gravel uses more than of sand for this reason E in SCC is more than of normal concrete with the same compressive strength.

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References ACI Committee 544 (1993), Guide for Specifying, Proportioning, Mixing, Placing and Finishing Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete, ACI Report 544.39-93, American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI. Bentur, A. (1989), Fiber-reinforced cementitious materials, Material Science Concrete, The American Ceramic Society, Westerville, OH. Bentur, A. and Mindness, S. (1990), Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Composites, Elsevier Applied Science, New York, NY. Dehn, F. and Holschemacher, K. (2000), Self-compacting concrete (SCC) time development of the material properties and the bond behaviour, LACER No. 5. Khayat, KH and Roussel, Y. (1999), Testing and performance of ber reinforced, self-consolidating concrete, in Skarendahl, A. and Petersson, O. (Eds), Proceedings of the First International RILEM Symposium on Self-compacting Concrete, Stockholm, Sweden, September 13-14, pp. 509-21.

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Okamura, H. (1997), Self-compacting high performance concrete, Concrete International, Vol. 19 No. 7, pp. 50-4. Okamura, H. and Ouchi, M. (1999), Self-compacting concrete, development, present use and future, in Skarendahl, A. and Petersson, O. (Eds), Self-compacting Concrete, RILEM Symposium Stockholm, RILEM, Cachan, pp. 3-14. Okamura, H., Maekawa, K. and Ozawa, K. (1993), High Performance Concrete, Gihoudou, Tokyo (in Japanese). Pera, G., Husson, S. and Guilhot, B. (1999), Inuence of nely ground limestone on cement hydration, Cement and Concrete Composites, No. 21, pp. 9-105. Persson, B. (1998a), Technical report, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Report 9803:12, Division of Building Materials, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund, p. 1. Persson, B. (1998b), Travel report from Workshop on Autogenous Shrinkage in Hiroshima, Japan, Report 9806:07, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund. Sahmaran, M., Yurtseven, A. and Ozgur Yaman, I. (2005), Workability of hybrid ber reinforced self-compacting concrete, Building and Environment, Vol. 40, pp. 1672-7. Sedran, T. and de Larrard, F. (1999), Optimization of self-compacting concrete thanks to packing model, in Skarendahl, A. and Petersson, O. (Eds), Self-compacting Concrete, RILEM Symposium Stockholm, RILEM, Cachan, pp. 321-32. Further reading Petersson, O. and Billberg, P. (1999), Investigation on blocking of self-compacting concrete with different maximum aggregate size and use of viscosity agent instead ller, in Skarendahl, A. and Petersson, O. (Eds), Self-compacting Concrete, RILEM Symposium Stockholm, RILEM, Cachan, pp. 333-44. Corresponding author S. Ghanbarpour has been contacted at: s.ghanbarpour@yahoo.com

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