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Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Advances in Civil Engineering

Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 217473, 11 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/217473

Research Article

Steel Fibre Reinforcing Characteristics on the Size Reduction of Fly Ash Based
Concrete
Sounthararajan Vallarasu Manoharan and Sivakumar Anandan

Structural Engineering Division, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil N
632014, India
Received 31 May 2014; Revised 1 October 2014; Accepted 9 October 2014; Published 4 November 2014
Academic Editor: Cumaraswamy Vipulanandan

Copyright 2014 Sounthararajan Vallarasu Manoharan and Sivakumar Anandan. is is an open access art
Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medi
properly cited.

Abstract

e behavior of glued steel bres in high strength concrete with size reduction properties of concrete has
with both ends hooked having length to diameter ratio of 70 was added at a dosage level of 0.5% to 1.5% b
carried out to analyze the eects of bre addition on the thickness reduction of concrete element. A hig
designed and various thicknesses of concrete prisms were casted for dierent volume fraction of steel
were determined based on the mix constituents such as water to binder ratio 0.3 (w/b), superplasticizer dosag
(F/c), and y ash replacement level at 25% and 50% by weight of binder content. e experimental test result
varies with respect to the depth of concrete specimen. It can be observed that the reduction in size up to 10%
1.5% steel bres showed better strength enhancement of 4.70MPa and 6.69MPa for 7 days and 28 days, resp
bres at higher percentage of y ash containing 50% showed better improvement in the exural strength f
compared to plain concrete beam which exhibited higher stress carrying capacity of 6.08MPa at 28 days and s

1. Introduction

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Fibre addition in plain concrete are known to improve the brittle failure properties of concrete as it cont
matrix. However, the careful selection of the type of bres can be potentially used to improve the toughn
bres randomly in the concrete can promulgate the homogeneous properties in all directions. e major r
plain concrete is to develop adequate tensile strength for eective crack bridging upon loading. It can be obs
concrete shows higher degree of ductile failure leading to high crack width reduction. e plastic deform
region is an added advantage which is primarily borne by the discrete reinforcing mechanisms. e typical a
case of high strength concrete due to high brittleness bres having more signicant benets in terms of im
modulus, and long term durability. High strength concrete exhibits more brittleness under compression and
improves the connement, durability, and deformability of the concrete [1, 2]. In several research studies it
steel bers in conventional concrete greatly improved the exural strength, fracture toughness, thermal sho
for various grades of concrete [3, 4]. It was also demonstrated that the addition of steel bres showed
capacity of concrete or it can partially replace the vertical stirrups in RC structural members. e application
critical sections such as beam-column junctions gives adequate ductility. e steel bres can improve the p
the brittle behavior of normal concrete and high-strength concrete, improving the failure properties of high s
observed that propagation of the crack is controlled by the steel bres along the fracture plane. Fibres usually
propagation aer matrix cracking and showed pullout of the bres from the matrix exhibiting the bond stren
Both matrix and bre tensile strength play an important role on the bond strength or pullout resistance of ste
also concluded that the steel bre volume fraction and steel bre tensile strength have no signi
modulus of elasticity of concrete. However, the use of high tensile strength steel bres showed considerable
and exural strength with considerable improvements noted at increased bre dosage [10, 11]. It is also emp
steel bres and matrix plays an important role in improving ductility, rst crack strength, and exural stre
analysis it can be summarized that the bre reinforcing eciency depends on the bre volume fraction and t
noted from the review that compatibility between the matrix and the steel bre can be very important for imp
fracture properties of high-strength concrete. It becomes very important to provide a comprehensive
characteristics in concrete with special focus on the reinforcing eciency in the matrix.

Research Signicance. Reinforcing properties of discrete steel bres in a high strength matrix can provide p
properties as well as strengthening the matrix without cracking. In the present study, a new research
improvements with a corresponding reduction in size of concrete element was investigated. is study prov
reduction in concrete volume with the reinforcing eciency of steel bres at dierent volume fraction.

2. Experimental Methodology
2.1. Materials Used
2.1.1. Ordinary Portland Cement (53 Grade) IS 12262 1969 [14]
Chemical composition and the basic properties of cement used in the study are given in Table 1.
Table 1: Properties of cement used (OPC-53 grade).
2.1.2. Fine Aggregate

e ne aggregate used were obtained from a locally available river bed. e neness modulus of ne aggreg
specic gravity of 2.59, and conforms to IS 383-1970 which falls under Zone III gradation.
2.1.3. Coarse Aggregate
Crushed granite blue metal stone used as coarse aggregates used for material is passing through 20

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neness modulus of coarse aggregate was observed to be 6.82 and specic gravity 2.61.
2.1.4. Glued Steel Fibres
Both end hooked glued steel bres were used in the study. e properties and the snapshot of steel bres are
Table 2: Properties of glued steel bres.
Figure 1: Snapshot of glued steel bres.

2.1.5. Chemical Superplasticizer

A commercially available calcium nitrate based accelerator (Cerachem-Acl) was used to accelerate the pozz
which had a specic gravity value of 1.82 and solid content of 25% and also, to improve the workabi
polycarboxylate ether based superplasticizer (PCE) was added at 1.5% (by weight of binder) to obtain the des
mm slump.
2.1.6. Water

Normal potable water is used throughout the experimental works and was free from oils, alkalies, and any oth
2.1.7. Mixture Proportions of Test Samples

e experimental investigations so far employed seven concrete mixes (MC1, MSF1, MSF2, MSF3, MSF7, MS
binder ratio (w/b) of 0.3 and ne to coarse aggregate ratio (F/c) of 0.6. Also, the replacement level of Class F
of binder content) with glued steel bres (both end hooked) at 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% (by weight of bind
improve the rate of strength gain, the addition of accelerator dosage level was xed at 1% and 1.5
superplasticizer (PCE) was used for improving the workability. e detailed mixture proportions of various
are given in Table 3.
Table 3: Mix constituents for various proportions of concrete.

2.1.8. Specimen Details

Flexural performance of glued steel bre based y ash concretes was assessed by testing exural streng
toughness, and residual strength. Concrete specimens were casted for dierent sizes and the details are p
experimental test setup consisting of yoke arrangement is shown in Figure 2(a) and the line sketch of third p
in Figure 2(b). is facilitates the prevention of extraneous deection at the ends. A three-point loading arra
bending test on the specimen and the central deection was measured using a mechanical dial gauge of 0.01
tested as per codal provision (IS) 516-1959 and the postcrack deection was also measured accurately with
peak load. Since the yoke arrangement provides adequate restraint to the specimen at the ends without allowi
Table 4: Specimen details for various mixture proportions of concrete.

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Figure 2: (a) Experimental test setup for exural studies. (b) Line sketch of third point loa
setup.

is provides an accurate recording of strain during gradual failure of beam due to crack bridging of
bres in the postcracking region during exural bending of the specimen. Based on the load-de
concretes, the following toughness calculations were made.

(i) Absolute toughness was calculated from the area under entire load-deection curve from the start of
specimen.
(ii) Postpeak toughness was measured from the area between the ultimate load and failure load under loa
(iii) e toughness index is dened as the ratio of average load carrying capacity oered aer cracking
reinforcement) divided by the exural tensile strength of the uncracked concrete specimen.
2.1.9. Specimen Preparation and Curing Methods

e concrete constituents were mixed in an electrically operated drum type concrete mixer of 40Kg capacit
initially and then the required mix water is added along with the superplasticizer as well as accelerator.
compacted by table vibrator for 30 seconds and top surface leveled to smooth surface using trowel; aer tha
in room temperature for 24 hours. Aer 24 hours, the hardened concrete cubes were remolded and all the s
potable water curing tank for complete hydration of concrete and tested at dierent curing days.

3. Experimental Test Results and Discussions

3.1. Size Reduction

e eect of bre addition in concrete is a major application used widely in industrial oor concreting and ha
applications. e important advantage of using steel bres can be derived in reducing the concrete thickness.
the increase in the composite elastic modulus and improved matrix strengthening due to high elastic mod
study, the experimental test results on the exural stress capacity of dierent y ash concrete specimens cont
steel bres are summarized in Table 5. e study is intended mainly to check the accountability of the re
addition of dierent percentage of glued steel bers. Glued steel bers used were of 35mm length and 0.5
1.0%, and 1.5% by volume fraction
of concrete, respectively.
Table 5: Flexural strength for various mixture proportions of concrete.

e eect of steel bre addition in y ash based concrete (F/c ratio 0.6) showed better strength enhancement
concrete specimen (MC1) of 100mm depth. e reduced size of concrete beam specimens of 90mm thi
strength (MSF3) of around 4.70MPa and 6.69MPa at 7 and 28 days, respectively (as shown in Figure
specimens showed a marginal increase in exural stress up to 6.08MPa at 28 days (as shown in Figure
performance when compared to reference concrete of thickness 100mm and the strength was increased up t
days as shown in Figure 5. However, the eect of size reduction was realized at 5% reduction in thickness. Co
exural strength showed a decrease of 5.37% at 7 days, whereas in the case of 50% y ash substituted conc

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7.99% at 28 days (as shown in Figure 6). It can be justied that a maximum size reduction was possible up
concrete specimen in the case of low and high volume y ash concretes. e eect of high early strength con
reinforcing mechanism can possibly result in the composite increase in the exural properties. is provide
compared to plain concrete without accelerated properties with the addition of either accelerating admixtu
that the size reduction of concrete elements can be achieved up to 10% with 25% of low volume and 5%
substituted high strength concrete mixes. A maximum increase up to 18.83% in exural stress capacity w
concrete mixes. e justications for increased exural performance even with the reduction in size and
addition are discussed further. e increase in exural stress capacity of steel bre concrete is realized du
replacement of concrete area. is results in the increase in composite elastic modulus and reduction in br
concrete is essentially provided by high deformability of steel bres. is also results in increased moment ro
higher moment of resistance. However, beyond the optimized steel bre addition and optimized thicknes
moment capacity is anticipated due to reduction in concrete area. e composite performance of steel
between the reinforcing eects in matrix are provided when the area of both materials are adequate to deve
is is also justied from fundamental mechanics that during exural loading the maximum strain in extrem
and stress redistribution occurs in the steel bres. When the area of steel and steel bres are present at o
ultimate strain occurs at the same time and this results in the increased stress levels with failure occurring sim
is study comprehends the fundamental fact that the size of concrete element can be reduced up to 10% sa
up to 1.5%
in the case of high early strength concrete. Moreover the development of increased exural str
concrete is one important criterion for selecting the size reduction of concrete. However, a decreased strengt
of y ash addition in concrete for F/c ratio (0.6) with dierent percentage of steel bres. e depth of conc
lower exural strength of around 4.14MPa and 5.25MPa at 7 and 28 days, respectively, when compared t
6.75% at 7 and 28 days, respectively.
Figure 3: Flexural strength of concrete for various mixes of concrete with dierent
reduction).

Figure 4: Flexural strength of concrete for various mixes of concrete with dierent
reduction).

Figure 5: Percentage of strength gain for various mixture proportions of concrete at 7 days

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Figure 6: Percentage of strength gain for various mixture proportions of concrete at 28 day

3.2. Flexural Toughness

e exural toughness values were calculated for the various mixture proportions of concrete and ar
deformation characteristics for 25% and 50% y ash substituted concrete mixes for various dosages of st
Figures 7 and 8. e experimental trends showed that the increase in bre dosage had shown a gradu
characteristics of y ash concrete composites. e most accountable eect of steel bres showed better brid
increases the ductility properties of concrete specimens to exhibit a stable postpeak load deection curve,
specimens. It can be noted that plain concrete had not shown signicant postcracking behavior and the e
provided enough energy absorbing mechanism. Most importantly the composite exural performance was d
and the exural strain hardening properties were greatly improved with higher steel bre dosage. is is
concrete mix (MSF3) exhibiting the highest absolute toughness value of 34.37N-m in the case of low volum
steel bre content (1.5% ). e same mix (MSF3) had also shown a maximum postcrack toughness of
toughness the maximum value was 24.27N-m for the same mix. In the case of 50% y ash substituted
toughness was 29.61N-m, postcrack toughness 25.86N-m, and residual toughness 17.87N-m. e toughne
steel bre substituted y ash mixes exhibited a higher eciency of matrix reinforcing eciency and as a res
adequate postelastic deformation properties. Also, the y ash mixed cementitious system could possibly dev
bre incorporated mixes due to which the residual toughness values were also found to be increased. It c
performance characteristics of high early strength concretes depend on the matrix reinforcing ecie
mechanism. Also, the possible development of early strength gain properties and the synergistic interacti
cement matrix can provide composite toughness properties. e load deformation characteristics for 25% an
mixes for various dosages of steel bre addition are provided in Figure 9. It can be noted from the experimen
dosage had shown a gradual improvement on the postpeak characteristics of y ash concrete composites.
Table 6: Toughness values for various mixture proportions of concrete.

Figure 7: Flexural toughness graph containing 25% of y ash with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% of

Figure 8: Flexural toughness graph containing 50% of y ash with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% of

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Figure 9: Postcrack toughness for various mix proportions of concrete.

3.3. Toughness Index

e ratio of average load carrying capacity oered aer cracking (due to the presence of steel bre reinf
tensile strength of the uncracked concrete specimen provides the Re3 index or also called toughness inde
percentage of steel bres by volume fractions with 50% of y ash based concrete (F/c ratio 0.6) showed bett
which was around 0.64 in 28 days, when compared to 25% of y ash substituted concretes. Also, in the case o
a maximum toughness index value of 0.64 was noted with higher steel bre content. is also denoted that th
in the strain soening zone due to which the contribution of steel bres is predominant. However t
improvement on the prepeak strain hardening are due to matrix strengthening by steel bres. e test resu
steel bres is maximum at higher reinforcement index (volume of bres to volume of concrete). e test re
concrete mixes at 0.6 F/c ratio of dierent volume fraction of steel bres. It can be concluded from the above
bres were much realized in high early strength concrete mixes in exural strength and toughness properties
3.4. Fibre Bridging Eects in Concrete

e eective bre bridging by steel bres (shown in Figure 10) occurred even aer the failure had resulted i
signicant enhancement on the postpeak characteristics. It is understood from the above test results t
characteristics are dependent on the matrix densication and hardening properties of cementitious syste
soening characteristics of concrete are dependent on the crack bridging properties oered by the steel
addition showed a synergistic eect with the pozzolanic reaction of y ash with cement and showed improve
concrete mixtures.
Figure 10: Snapshot of bre bridging eects.

3.5. Fibre Alignment

e orientations of steel bres in the various concrete mixtures are provided in Figures 11 and 12, which re
sliced concrete section. It can be seen from the micrographs that the steel bres were found to align along the
found to be an important property for the enhancement in the exural strength in the case of bre reinfor
seen that the steel bres oriented along the beam axis contribute towards the exural strength capacity of
However, the orientation of bres along the transverse direction can be easily seen in the sliced concrete sec
oriented along the longer direction. Also, the bres which are oriented along the beam axis can be seen as
shows the contribution of steel bres in matrix. In the case of steel bre reinforced concrete specimens the d
given cross section can be easily counted in terms of number of bres seen visually in the case of dierent con
in all the concrete mixes was accounting for the exural stress carrying capacity. e orientation of st
inuencing the stress redistribution in concrete system in which case the plain concrete tends to fail imme
the case of steel bre reinforced concrete specimens, it can be seen that the exural stress carrying capacity

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of steel bres. Most notably the consecutive stress transfer mechanism is much eective in all the bre reinfo
the reinforcement index. Reinforcing eciency depends on the distribution of steel bres for a given area
sliced concrete section. It can be seen that in the case of higher volume fraction of steel bres, the homogen
clearly evident and is represented by the closer spacing of bres, whereas, in the case of low volume fraction
steel bres were random with large inter bre spacing. Also, it is observed that the orientations of steel
of the concrete and have the tendency of the longer bres to get aligned along the direction of the beam
inuence matrix strengthening in the case of high volume y ash (50%) concrete systems. is also apparen
on par that of 25% y ash substituted concretes mixes. Even though the matrix is highly brittle but th
considerable increase in the exural stress carrying capacity. e experimental test results indicated that the
to be essential to the matrix strengthening as well as in the case of overall composite performance of
concrete mixes.
Figure 11: Microscopic view of 25% of y ash with 1.5% of steel bre concrete.

Figure 12: Microscopic view of 50% of y ash with 1.5% of steel bre concrete.

4. Conclusions

Based on the experimental investigation the following signicant conclusions are drawn within the limitation
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)

(vii)
(viii)

e size reduction of structural element can be an important aspect for improving the concrete p
eciency and economy.
From the studies it was noticed that the addition of steel bres at higher volume fraction (1.5%
thickness of beam element for about 10%, which resulted in higher bending resistance, when compa
Also, compared to plain concrete the addition of steel bres in concrete provided higher reinforcin
reduction of concrete.
It can be concluded that the reinforcing index of steel bre concrete can be much improved in ter
structural element.
It is clear from the studies that bre reinforced cement composites provide better performance
concrete and have opened up a variety of new and exciting construction materials.
Most importantly the composite exural properties were dependent on the steel bre content
properties were greatly improved with higher steel bre dosage. is is revealed in the case of
exhibiting the highest absolute toughness value of 34.37N-m in the case of low volume y ash c
content (1.5%
). e same mix (MSF3) had also shown a maximum postcrack toughness of 2
toughness the maximum value was 24.27N-m for the same mix. In the case of 50% y ash su
absolute toughness was 29.61N-m, postcrack toughness 25.86N-m, and residual toughness 17.87
Residual load capacity of bre concretes was found to exhibit the exural strength capacity of
initiation of rst crack and subsequent reloading till failure.
It was observed from the test results that the higher toughness index (0.60) was noticed in the case o
1.5%
of steel bres.

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Conict of Interests
e authors declare that there is no conict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

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