Enhancing the Strength Characterisitics of Concrete Through the Use of Steel Fibre
F. A. Olutoge
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
G. M. Amusan *
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and Department of Civil Engineering, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
S. O. A. Olawale
Department of Civil Engineering, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The paper aims at studying the strength characteristics of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC), within the fibre dosage of 0.5 to 2%. Discontinuous discrete steel fibres were explored in concrete of grade M60, and normal concrete of 0% steel fibre dosage used as control. The concrete behavioural properties were investigated under compression at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 90 and 120 curing days. Steel fibre reinforced concrete sample with highest compression yield were further examined under tension and flexure respectively.
The findings revealed that, the addition of steel fibre to concrete improve the strength properties of the concrete, with better performance under compression, tensile and flexure compared to control concrete. The SFRC specimens were observed to yield a percentage increase of 3.96-10.54% in compression, 49.83-97.08% in tension and 13.63-28.27% flexural compare to the control. The presence of steel fibre was also observed to minimize crack propagation over conventional concrete, which shows that steel fibres helps in better bonding of the concrete and displays steel fibre reinforced concrete as to possess good ductility properties.
Keywords: Steel fibre, concrete, compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength