THE INVESTIGATION OF EFFECT OF STEEL FIBER ON THE

SHEAR BEHAVIOR OF SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE

BEAMS WITH NORMAL AND HIGH STRENGTH

M H A Beygi*, Babol University of Technology, Iran
J Vaseghi Amiri, Babol University of Technology, Iran
A Rezai Moazen, Allameh Mohades Noori Higher Education Institute, Iran
N Ranjbar Malidareh, Babol University of Technology, Iran
M Harajpoor, Mazandaran, University of Science and Technology, Iran

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rd
Conference on OUR WORLD IN CONCRETE & STRUCTURES: 25 27 August 2008, Singapore





THE INVESTIGATION OF EFFECT OF STEEL FIBER ON THE
SHEAR BEHAVIOR OF SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE
BEAMS WITH NORMAL AND HIGH STRENGTH


M H A Beygi*, Babol University of Technology, Iran
J Vaseghi Amiri, Babol University of Technology, Iran
A Rezai Moazen, Allameh Mohades Noori Higher Education Institute, Iran
N Ranjbar Malidareh, Babol University of Technology, Iran
M Harajpoor, Mazandaran University of Science and Technology, Iran




Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of steel fiber (with low strength) on the shear behavior of self
compacting concrete beams, 12 specimens had been designed and tested, which 6 of them had the
compressive strength of 30 MPa and 6 of them had the compressive strength of 60 MPa. In each
group 3 beams with distances of 80mm and 3 beams with distances of 100mm used stirrups and also
in each group the volume of fiber to the concrete with percentages of zero, 0.5 and 1 percent had been
changed. All the beams with simple support were loaded by two concentrated load to the stage of
failure. The amount of applied load, the deflection of mid span and all strains in different positions in
different stages of loading have been measured and recorded. In this research corrugated fiber with
low strength (220 MPa) had been used.
The results of investigation shows that not only we can replace fibers with parts of stirrups by saving
their strength but also we can reach to more shear ductility. Also in order to increase cracking shear
strength, the prevention of sudden cracking and increase of absorption of energy, it is more effective
to increase steel fiber rather than to increase stirrups.

Keywords: Steel Fiber with Low Strength, Shear Behavior, Self Compacting Concrete Beams with Normal and
High Strength

1- Introduction
For the first time in fifteen years ago, self compacting concrete had been developed in Japan in order to obtain
structural durable concrete. Since then many researches were carried out to reach to appropriate mixture, design
and transferring it into standard concrete.
Self Compacting Concrete has been defined as a concrete which has no need for any internal vibration or
external vibration for form work and due to its weight it would be compacted. The usage of this concrete is in
the structural element which too much reinforcement has been used [1].
Few skills for workers are needed to obtain appropriate compacting in structure with normal concrete. The
reduction of this number will lead to reduction of compacting and quality of structure. But self Compacting
Concrete needs less skillful workers and thats why in compare with normal concrete it is considerably more
economical in performance.
Although this concrete has a better compaction property to the normal concrete, therefore we will predict that its
properties as a hardened concrete (such as compressive strength, permeability, absorption) to the normal
concrete have improved considerably.
For the other advantages of Self Compacting Concrete we can imply to reduced period of construction of
concrete structure, assuring about the compaction of structure especially in areas which the usage of vibrator are
difficult and reduction of noise problem due to vibration especially in the factories which produce concrete
segments.
So far many researches have been carried out for this type of concrete which were mostly about the technology
of concrete, and little investigation has been done for the structural behavior.
In Iran also some reports are introduced related to this type of concrete and type of mixture design and the
investigation of structural behavior [2, 3 & 4].
The application of non-reinforced concrete due to its brittle property except for the weight concrete has no other
usage.
In practice this significant draw back of concrete, by using reinforcement will come to an end, but as far as
reinforcement will build a small part of section, the usage of concrete section being an isotropic and
homogenous section is not correct.
In order to maintain isotropic condition and to reduce brittleness of concrete as much as possible, in recent
decades very relatively long and thin fibers have been used throughout the whole volume of concrete as
homogenize or spread uniformly.
All type of fibers (fiber glass, poly etalon, steel, asbestos and plastic) is effective to improve the concrete
properties and in different direction they will create some joints which will prevent the creation of cracks.
Therefore fibers with an active role will restraint the width of cracks and contribute with inducement of many
small cracks and hence the serviceability of concrete will increase [5].
Self compacting concrete has the same mix design of normal concrete including: Cement, aggregate, water and
additive. Although large amount of super plasticizer should be taken in to account to reduce liquid limit of
concrete and its better application and large amount of fiber as a factor of lubrication of coarse aggregate and
usage of special admixture for increasing viscosity of concrete should be considered. The property of fresh
concrete and hardening of self compacting concrete highly depends on its mix design. Figure (1) shows
principles of producing self compacting concrete [6].






















Figure 1- Principles of mix design self compacting concrete

2- The Methods of Testing the Self Compacting Concrete
Since the performance of self compacting concrete is different to the normal concrete, therefore it is necessary
to maintain the concrete is self compacting or not. To measure the self compacting properties there are several
tests which are as follow:

2-1- Self Compacting
In order to maintain whether the concrete is self compacting we will use U tube test, which has been suggested
by Taisei Group (Hyakawa 1993).
The difference between the levels of concrete in the U tube depends on the fluidity of concrete as suggested by
Taisei group if the difference mentioned above becomes more than 300mm, the concrete can be considered as
self compacting concrete which Figure (2) shows this device.

Limiting the amount of coarse
aggregate
Usage of Super Plasticizer
Reduction of ratio of water
to the fine aggregate w/p
High ductility of mortar
and concrete
Compact ability
High strength of
mortar and concrete

Figure 2- Testing System U-Flow

2-2- Deformability
Slump test on its way is not suitable for self compacting concrete. Therefore engineering institute of Japan will
define the slump test as a slump flow equal to the final diameter of fresh concrete after lifting up the slump
cone. This test will determine the ability of concrete to deform under its own weight and cope with internal
friction.
Although this test can not evaluate whether the concrete will pass through the existing space between the bars
which shows mortar tend to separate from aggregate.
T
50
= Required time for concrete to reach 50cm diameter.
D
final
= The final diameter of concrete which can be measured by two orthogonal diameter and it should be more
than 60 cm. Figure (3) shows this device.


Figure 3- Slump flow test

2-3- Filling Ability
In self compacting concrete the presence of high fluidity is not adequate, in fact when concrete flow near a barer
might the coarse aggregate be stopped by barrier and short to prevent the flow of mortar of concrete. Hence if
the mix concrete was not properly designed, the coarse aggregate tend to make an arch and flow of concrete
would be prevented. In order to measure the passing and filling ability of fresh concrete L-Box test has been
used.
T
20
= The required time for the concrete to reach the horizontal part with the distance of 20cm.
T
40
= The required time for the concrete to reach the horizontal part with the distance of 40cm.
h
2
= The height of concrete in horizontal part of L-Box.
H
1
= The height of concrete in the vertical part of L-Box. Figure (4) shows the device.


Figure 4- L-Box
3- Mix Design Approach
The compaction ability is highly depended on the material signification and mix proportion. A mix design
method for self compacting concrete is required. Okamura and Ogawa suggest a simple mix design system
assuming concrete produce as ready concrete.
In this method the amount of coarse and fine aggregates are constant and self compaction would be induced by
the correcting the amount of filler and super plasticizer in the concrete mixture [7].

4- Production of Steel Fiber
The fibers used in this research are type of steel with low strength (Yield Stress 220MPa). The reason for using
this type of steel is that its accessible with low cost. These fibers have been used with d = diameter 0.6mm and
length L=42mm (The ration of length to the diameter =
d
L
70). As long as the influence of this type of
corrugated steel fiber is more than simple fiber [8]. Thats why all the fibers are shaped with machine in
sinusoidal wave with wave length of 4mm shown in Figure (5).


Figure 5- Geometric characteristics of fibers

5- Description of Test Specimen
In order to carry out this test 12 specimen were made for this purpose in the Structural Laboratory of Babol
University of Technology both for self compacting normal and high strength concrete. 6 beams were considered
for each of these groups. Stirrups spacing in 3 beams were with distance of 80mm and in other 3 beams were
with distance of 100mm. The volume of fiber to the concrete was zero and in the shear span 0.5 and %1 were
changed.
The beams have rectangular sections with 18 20 cm dimension and the length of free span was considered
125cm. The ratio of length of shear span to the effective depth was selected =
d
a
2.5.
Mechanical properties of steel reinforcement are mentioned in table (1) and the type of beams categories and
their abbreviation for normal and high strength self compacting concrete are shown in table (2 & 3).

Table 1- Properties of Steel Reinforcement
Modulus of
Elasticity
) Mpa ( 5 10

Ultimate
Strength
(MPa)
Yield
Strength
(MPa)
Diameter
(mm)
Steel
Materials
2 600 450 14-16 Tensile Bars
2 435 260 8
Compressive
Bars
2 435 260 6 Stirrup
2 370 220 0.6 Steel Fiber

Table 2- The type of Self Compacting Concrete beam with Normal Strength
Group
Abbreviation
Beam
Abbreviation
Tensile
Bars
Compressive
Bars
Stirrup Ratio of Fiber to
Concrete



N

NS80
NS80V0 14 3

8 2
mm 80 @ 6

0%
NS80V0.5 14 3

8 2
mm 80 @ 6

0.5%
NS80V1 14 3

8 2
mm 80 @ 6

1%
NS100 NS100V0 14 3

8 2
mm 100 @ 6

0%
NS100V0.5 14 3

8 2
mm 100 @ 6

0.5%
NS100V1 14 3

8 2
mm 100 @ 6

1%

Table 3- The type of Self Compacting Concrete beam with High Strength
Group
Abbreviation
Beam
Abbreviation
Tensile
Bars
Compressive
Bars
Stirrup Ratio of Fiber to
Concrete



H

HS80
HS80V0 16 3
8 2 mm 80 @ 6

0%
HS80V0.5 16 3 8 2 mm 80 @ 6

0.5%
HS80V1 16 3
8 2
mm 80 @ 6

1%

HS100
HS100V0 16 3
8 2
mm 100 @ 6

0%
HS100V0.5 16 3 8 2 mm 100 @ 6

0.5%
HS100V1 16 3

8 2
mm 100 @ 6

1%

Geometric properties of beams and types of reinforcement pattern are shown in Figure (6). In table (4 & 5)
summery of mix design for concrete used in the test are shown.











Figure 6- Details of beams under the applied Load


Table 4- Mix design of SCC with normal strength (kg)
Sand Gravel
Stone
Powder
Water
Super
Plasticizer
Micro
Silica
Cement
779 779 245 140 7 35 315

Table 5- Mix design of SCC with high strength (kg)
Sand Gravel
Stone
Powder
Water
Super
Plasticizer
Micro
Silica
Cement
517 723 350 200 10 50 450

6- Casting and Test of Beams
All the beams will come out of form works after 24 hours and would be covered with humid jute canvas and
kept in humidity conditions for 28 days and then they would be tested.
For test of compressive strength cubic specimen 100 100 100mm and for the test of indirect tension
(Brazilian Method) cylindrical specimen with 100mm diameter and 200mm height were used.
For each beam slump test, L-Box, compressive strength and indirect tension were carried out and these
specimens were kept in equal conditions with the casting beams. The values of results of these tests are shown
in table (6 & 7).

Table 6- The value of slump flow, L-Box, resistance of compressive specimen and indirect tension for self
compacting normal strength concrete
Amount of fiber to
concrete %
1
2
h
h

T
20
-T
40
(s)
D
final
(cm)
T
50
(s)
Compressiv
e Strength
(kg/cm
2
)

Indirect Tension
Strength (kg/cm
2
)
0 0.86 0.5 1.1 75 2.1 330 34
0.5 0.84 0.7 1.5 70 2.7 365 42.2
1 0.79 0.8 1.7 68 2.8 391 49



Table 7- The value of the results of slump flow, L-Box, resistance of compressive specimen and indirect tension
for self compacting high strength concrete
Amount of fiber to
concrete %
1
2
h
h

T
20
-T
40
(s)
D
final
(cm)
T
50
(s)
Compressive
Strength
(kg/cm
2
)

Indirect Tension
Strength (kg/cm
2
)
0 0.83 0.6 1.5 71 2.6 632 49.8
0.5 0.8 0.9 1.8 67 2.9 674 58
1 0.77 1 - 2 64 3.1 695 63

In order to carry out the test of beams two concentrated load (on the top) were used by a jack with 100 ton
capacity. To maintain the beams camber we use a deflect meter which would be connected to the computer.
Figure (7) shows the overall design of loading device and the type of loading and the creation of supports on the
beams.


Figure 7- The overall design of loading device

Figure (8) shows the modeling of beams with the situation which load applied and the position of deflect meter
and the button testing the strain.


Figure 8- The type of applying force on the beams and situation of deflect meter and strain gage

7- Measured Parameters
7-1- The Investigation of Behavior of Compressive Strength
In figure (9) the process of relative increscent compressive strength of normal and high strength self compacting
concrete are shown by adding 0.5 and 1% of fibers. As you can see adding the fibers in both type of concrete
will lead to increscent of compressive strength, also it is obvious the role of fibers in increasing the relative
strength of normal self compacting concrete are larger. By adding 0.5 and 1% fiber to normal self compacting
concrete it shows that 10.5 and 18.5% and for high strength self compacting concrete 6.5 and 10% increase of
strength.


Figure 9- The process of relative increscent of compressive strength of concrete by adding fibers

7-2- The Investigation of Indirect Tensile Strength Behavior (Splitting)
In figure (10) the effect of adding fibers on the indirect relative tensile strength of cylindrical specimen has been
shown. For both type of concrete there is increment of strength, but the effect of fiber on the increment of
relative strength of self compacting concrete is more. By adding 0.5 and 1% fiber for self compacting normal
strength concrete almost 24 and 44% and for concrete with high strength about 16.5 and 26.5% increment have
been observed.
In the developing processes of tensile strength like compressive strength also regarding the slope of curves in
two area zero to 0.5 and o.5 to 1% have been observed, which in initial volumes the increasing process of tensile
strength are more than larger volume.


Figure 10- The increasing process of indirect tensile strength of concrete by adding fibers

7-3- The Comparison between Compressive Strength and Indirect Tensile Behavior
The comparison for increment of relative strength of compressive specimen and indirect tensile for self
compacting normal strength concrete is shown in figure (11) and for self compacting high strength concrete is
shown in figure (12).
The relative increment of strength due to adding the fibers in indirect tensile both for self compacting concrete
with normal and high strength is considerably higher than compressive strength.
This will indicate that the role of steel fibers is more effective in the increment of strength of tensile region of
concrete structural members than in the compressive region. We should note that in both test compressive
strength and indirect tensile in both self compacting concrete with normal and high strength the process of
strength growth by adding fibers in the initial volumes are higher.



Figure 11- The comparison of increment of relative strength of compressive and indirect tensile strength of self
compacting normal strength concrete specimen


Figure 12- The comparison of increment of relative strength of compressive and indirect tensile strength of self
compacting high strength concrete specimen

7-4- The investigation of Load Behavior Beams Camber
In order to compare all the beams of Group N with each other the load-camber curves of all beams are shown in
figure (13). As we can see near the beam linear state that is not much difference in the load-camber curves due
to adding the fibers. Near ultimate state by adding fibers, in addition to increasing ultimate strength, ultimate
strength would be increase considerably, which will indicate the effective role of fiber in the increasing ductility
and energy absorption. Near the load-camber curves of these beams NS100V0.5, NS80V0, NS100V1,
NS80V0.5 are not able.
Figure (14) also shows load-camber curves for all the beams in group H. By adding the fibers a similar behavior
with group N would be observed, regarding this difference that the effect of fibers in the increment of relative
strength and ductility is less. This will show that in beams under the test with geometric and mechanical
signification which was mentioned above by adding 0.5% the volume of fibers and reducing 25% of stirrups
volume almost load-camber curves are still the same (but with more ductility).
In both groups N and H the comparison of beams with stirrup spacing of 100mm and 80mm shows adding the
fibers to S100 beams which have less stirrups to the S80 beams would lead to sudden rise in the load-camber
curve.


Figure 13- Load-camber curves of self compacting normal strength concrete beams

Figure 14- Load-camber curves of self compacting high strength concrete beams

7-5- The Investigation of Behavior of Load Flexural Strain at Position A
Load Flexural strain at position A for all self compacting normal strength concrete beams (group N) is shown
in figure (15) and for all self compacting high strength concrete beams (group H) is shown in figure (16).
As we can see all the curves shows similar behavior with increasing load (and it does not show too much
difference for adding fibers in the shear spans beams to its ultimate state). Similar behavior of load-flexural
strain of beams with stirrup spacing of 100mm and fiber volume of 75% and 1% and for beams with stirrup
spacing of 80mm and fiber volume zero and 5% near the ultimate state is considerable.


Figure 15- Load-strain curve for position A for all self compacting normal strength concrete beams


Figure 16- Load-strain curve for Position A for all self compacting high strength concrete beams
7-6- The Investigation of the Effect of Load Strain for Position B and C
As you can see in figure (8) strain B and C are considered for the investigation of the effect of adding fiber on
the widening of diagonal cracks with 45 angle to the horizon.
In figures (17 & 18) load strain curve for position B and C are investigated for all self compacting normal
strength concrete beams. Ultimate strength and curves of two beams NS80V0 and NS100V0.5 are similar to two
beams NS80V0.5 and NS100V1. By adding 0.5% to fiber volume and reducing 25% from the stirrup volume in
the shear spans the shear stiffness of the beams would increase a little bit and on the other hand due to beneficial
usage of stirrups and fibers without too much change in the ultimate strength of beams, its ductility would
increase.


Figure 17- The comparison of load strain curve in position B for all self compacting normal strength concrete
beams


Figure 18- The comparison of load strain curve in position C for all self compacting normal strength concrete
beams

In figures (19 & 20) load strain curve for position B and C of all self compacting high strength concrete beams
have been compared. The same behaviors with self compacting normal strength concrete beams which have
same steel shear signification have been observed. With another term there is proportional similarity in the
behavior of beams HS80V0 and HS100V0.5 with beams HS80V0.5 and HS100V1. In general comparing self
compacting normal strength concrete beams and self compacting high strength concrete beams we would
observe due to higher stiffness of most of the high strength concrete beams, there is a higher slope in the load
strain curve of these beams.


Figure 19- The comparison of load strain curve for position B for all self compacting high strength concrete
beams


Figure 20- The comparison of load strain curve for position C for all self compacting high strength concrete
beams

Table 8 shows shear cracking of beams. As you can see shear cracking would increase by adding fibers. From
the recorded data we can understand if we want to increase shear cracking strength, adding steel fibers are more
effective than to add stirrups.

Table 8- Shear cracking
Shear Cracking (Ton) Beam
2 NS100V0
2.25 NS100V0.5
2.6 NS100V1
2.15 NS80V0
2.35 NS80V0.5
2.70 NS80V1
2.5 HS100V0
3 HS100V0.5
3.7 HS100V1
2.8 HS80V0
3.2 HS80V0.5
3.9 HS80V1

Figures (21 & 22) shows the effect of adding fiber on the relative increment of ultimate strain B and C for self
compacting normal strength concrete and in figures (23 & 24) this effect have been shown for self compacting
high strength concrete. As you can see by adding 1% fiber, the increment of ultimate strain in beams with stirrup
spacing 80mm for strain at position B for self compacting high strength concrete beam would reach to 63.5%
and for self compacting normal strength concrete would reach to 80.5%. This shows that due to widening of
cracks, the transformation of stress in cracks locations takes place through fibers. As though concrete beams a
larger strain to the past, with another term by using fibers with low strength would increase toughness and
energy absorption ability of concrete (especially for self compacting normal strength concrete).


Figure 21-Relative increment of ultimate strain in position B due to additional fibers in self compacting normal
strength concrete


Figure 22- Relative increment of ultimate strain in position C by adding fibers in self compacting normal
strength concrete


Figure 23- Relative increment of ultimate strain in position B by adding fibers to self compacting high strength
concrete


Figure 24- Relative increment of ultimate strain in position C by adding fibers in self compacting high strength
concrete


7-7- The Investigation of Ultimate Shear Strength Behavior
Ultimate shear of all beams are indicated in table (9). By observing this table we could understand that the
combination of stirrups with 100mm spacing and 0.5% fiber volume almost shows same ultimate shear strength
with 80mm stirrup spacing without fibers, and also beam shear strength with 100mm stirrup spacing and 1%
fiber volume is almost equal to ultimate shear strength with 80mm stirrup spacing and 5% fiber volume.

Table 9- Ultimate Shear
















Figures (25 & 26) shows relative ultimate shear strength by adding fibers for self compacting normal and high
strength concrete respectively in both figures. The increment of shear strength by adding steel fibers in beams
with low stirrup volume (stirrup with larger spacing) is considerable. By other means in beams with weaker
stirrups steel fibers would play a significant role in locking the cracks.



Figure 25- The increment of relative ultimate shear strength by adding fibers to self compacting normal strength
concrete


Figure 26- The increment of relative ultimate shear strength by adding fibers to self compacting high strength
concrete


8- Conclusion
1- By keeping the strength and stirrup spacing constant and adding steel fibers in the shear spans, cracking
strength and ultimate shear strength would increase. This means that the steel fiber will play a significant role
before and after cracking.
2- By adding steel fiber to shear spans, strains and beam cambers (under uniform loading) would reduce. In the
area of load service this effect is more influent anal and beneficial, because in addition to reducing the cracks,
the deformation would reduce and shear stiffness would increase. Reinforced beams with stirrups and steel
fibers (in shear spans), in compare with conventional reinforced beams have a stiffer behavior.
3- The effect of steel fiber to increase the tensile strength is more than compressive strength.
Ultimate Shear
(Ton)
Beam
8.75 NS100V0
10.25 NS100V0.5
11.45 NS100V1
10 NS80V0
11.25 NS80V0.5
12.25 NS80V1
12 HS100V0
13 HS100V0.5
13.75 HS100V1
12.75 HS80V0
13.6 HS80V0.5
14.25 HS80V1
4- In addition to maintain ultimate shear strength of beam we could replace the part of stirrups with fibers. We
could obtain more ductility and strength in first crack. In order to increase shear cracking strength, the capacity
of absorbing energy, ductility and preventing sudden cracks, adding fibers are more effective than adding
stirrups. This phenomenon is an important factor for structure strengthening against the earth quake
(economically).
5- The effect of steel fibers on the increment of strength of self compacting normal strength concrete ductility is
more than self compacting high strength concrete, but with regard to the brittle behavior of high strength
concrete using fiber for this type of concrete is necessary.

9- References
[1] Ouchi, M., Hibino, M., and Okamura, H., Effect of super plasticizer on self-compact ability of fresh
concrete, TRR 1574, PP. 37-40 (1996).
[2] Beygi, M.H.A., Vaseghi, J and Shafigh, P., Molavi, R., Investigation of Flexural Behavior of Reinforced
Beams Made of Self Compacting Concrete, Second National Congress of Civil Engineering, Iran University of
Science and Technology, PP. 104 (April 2005).
[3] Maghsoodi, A. A., Hoornahad, H., Self Compacting Concrete with the Use of Materials from Kerman
Province, 2
nd
International Conference on Concrete & Development, Building and Housing Research Center,
PP. 103, (April 2005).
[4] Sadrmomtazi, A., Hatami, F., Characteristics of Self Compacting Concrete and its Utilizations, 2
nd

International Conference on Concrete & Development, Building and Housing Research Center, PP. 105, (April
2005)
[5] HAREX-Stahlfasertechnik information GmbH & Co.KG (1986).
[6] Dehn, F., Holschemacher, K., and Weisse, D., Self-compacting concrete-time development of the material
properties and the bond behavior, Lacer No. 5, PP.115-123 (2000).
[7] Berenjian, J., Beygi, M.H.A., Effect of Steel Fiber on the Mechanical Properties of High Strength
Concrete, Proceeding of Articles of Engineering Faculty, Mazandaran University, Vol. 1, First Edition, PP.
50, (2000).
[8] Okamura, H. and Ouchi, M., Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology" vol.1, No.1, PP. 5-15 (2003).