MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STEEL FIBRE

REINFORCED CONCRETE
A report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the degree of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLGY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

by

STUDENT NAME
(Roll No. 954005)

Supervisor
PROF. ***********

School of Civil Engineering

KIIT UNIVERSITY
751024
May 2011

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is with immense pleasure that I express my sincere sense of gratitude and
humble appreciation to Dr.Sanjaya kumar patro for his invaluable guidance, wholehearted co-operation, constructive criticism and continuous encouragement in the
preparation of this thesis. Without his support and guidance, the present work would
have remained a dream.
I would also like to thank Prof. B.Das, Dean, School of Civil Engineering
KIIT UNIVERSITY, for providing necessary facilities.
I take this opportunity to thank all my scholar friends & family for their
valuable support and encouragement throughout the preparation of this work. I also
thank all those who have directly or indirectly helped in completion of this work.

May 2011,

Rupak Kumar Patro

KIIT, BHUBANESWAR

(954005)

iii

DECLARATION OF SCHOLAR

I hereby certify that the work which is being presented in the report entitle
"****************************" in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
award of the degree of Bachelor of Technology in School of Civil Engineering under
KIIT University, Bhubaneswar is an authentic record of my own work carried out
during the period from 2014 to 2015 under the supervision of Dr.Sanjaya Kumar
Patro.
The matter embodied in this thesis has not been submitted by me for the award of any
other degree of this or any other University/Institute.

signature
(Name of Student)

This is to certify that above statement made by the student is correct to the best of our
knowledge.

Dr.Sanjaya Kumar Patro

(Supervisor)
School of Civil Engineering

iv

ABSTRACT

The present investigation considers the influence of various types of steel

fibers with different percentage on the mechanical properties of the ordinary concrete.
Commercially available fibers used in this study are hooked end, flat crimped,
crimped round. Experiment is carried out to get mechanical properties of ordinary
concrete, and fibrous concrete with 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% of fibre by replacement of
fine and coarse aggregate over volume of ordinary concrete. Mechanical properties
are measured by determining compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural
strength. Following fibrous concretes are prepared like hooked end steel fibre
reinforced concrete (HSFRC0.5, HSFRC0.75 and HSFRC1.0); flat crimped steel fibre
reinforced concrete (FSFRC0.5, FSFRC0.75 and FSFRC1.0); and crimped round steel fibre
reinforced concrete (CSFRC0.5, CSFRC0.75 and CSFRC1.0). It is observed from
experiment that influence of all types fibre is marginal for compressive strength of
concrete over ordinary concrete at specified proportion of steel fiber replacement
considered in this study. However the influence of all types of fiber is most significant
for split tensile and flexural strength of concrete at 1% of steel fiber replacement. At
28 days, the compressive strength of HSRFC 0.75, FSRFC0.75 & CSRFC0.75 are more than
8.79%, 3.75% and 6.91% over ordinary concrete. The split tensile strength of
HSRFC0.75, FSRFC0.75 & CSRFC0.75 are more than 29.73%, 34.80% and 52.35% over
ordinary concrete at 28 days. Similarly at 28 days, the flexural strength of HSRFC 0.75,
FSRFC0.75 & CSRFC0.75 are more than 21.91%, 25.79% and 26.60% over ordinary
concrete. However the compressive strength of HSRFC1.0, FSRFC1.0 & CSRFC1.0 are
more than 3.46%,2.42% and 1.33% over ordinary concrete; the split tensile strength
of HSRFC0.75, FSRFC1.0 & CSRFC1.0 are more than 47.98%, 54.73% and 60.81% over
ordinary concrete; and the flexural strength of HSRFC 1.0, FSRFC1.0 & CSRFC1.0 are
more than 29.05%, 30.41% and 30.68% over ordinary concrete

TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL SHEET
..............................................................................................................................
ii
ABSTRACT
..............................................................................................................................
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
..............................................................................................................................
iv
LIST OF TABLES
..............................................................................................................................
v
LIST OF FIGURES
..............................................................................................................................
vi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
..............................................................................................................................
viii
1. INTRODUCTION
..............................................................................................................................
1
1.1 General
..................................................................................................................
1
1.2 Objectives of Present Study
..................................................................................................................
3
1.3 Organisation of Report
..................................................................................................................
3
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
..............................................................................................................................
4
3. MATERIAL
..............................................................................................................................
12
3.1 Cement
..................................................................................................................
12
3.2 Aggregates
iv

..................................................................................................................
12
3.2.1 Corse Aggregate
......................................................................................................
12
3.2.2 Fine Aggregate
......................................................................................................
13
3.3 Steel Fiber
..................................................................................................................
13
2.4 Water
..................................................................................................................
13
4. EXPERIMENTAL POGRAM
..............................................................................................................................
16
4.1 Preparation of concrete specimens
..................................................................................................................
16
4.2 Mixing Procedure
..................................................................................................................
16
4.3Testing of fresh concrete
..................................................................................................................
17
4.4 Casting-Compaction andCuring
..................................................................................................................
17
4.4.1 Casting and Curing of Cube Specimens
......................................................................................................
17
4.4.2 Casting and Curing of Cylinder Specimens
......................................................................................................
17
4.3.2 Casting and Curing of Prism specimens
......................................................................................................
18
4.5 Testing of Hardened Concrete
..................................................................................................................
18
4.5.1 Compressive strength of Concrete
......................................................................................................
18
4.5.2 Split Tensile strength of Concrete
......................................................................................................
19
4.5.3 Flexural strength of Concrete
......................................................................................................
20

5. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

..............................................................................................................................
22
5.1 Compresive Strength
..................................................................................................................
22
5.2 Split Tensile Strength
..................................................................................................................
23
5.3 Flexural strength
..................................................................................................................
24
6. CONCLUSION
..............................................................................................................................
39
REFERENCES
..............................................................................................................................
40
APPENDIX
..............................................................................................................................
43
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
..............................................................................................................................
45

vi

LIST OF TABLES

Chapter 3
Table 3.1: Physical properties of 43 grade ordinary Portland concrete
..............................................................................................................................
13
Table 3.2: Chemical properties of 43 grade ordinary Portland concrete
..............................................................................................................................
14
Table 3.3: Physical properties of coarse aggregate
..............................................................................................................................
14
Table 3.4: Physical properties of fine aggregate
..............................................................................................................................
14
Table 3.5: Types of steel fiber
..............................................................................................................................
15
Table 3.6: Physical properties of steel fiber
..............................................................................................................................
15
Table 3.7: Improvement of SFRC over Ordinary Concrete
..............................................................................................................................
15
Chapter 4
Table 4.1: Various proportions and w/c ratio of fibrous concrete mix
..............................................................................................................................
21
Chapter 5
Table 5.1: Variation of compressive strength of HSFRC with OC
..............................................................................................................................
25
vii

Table 5.2: Variation of compressive strength of FSFRC with OC

..............................................................................................................................
25
Table 5.3: Variation of compressive strength of CSFRC with OC
..............................................................................................................................
25
Table 5.4: Variation of split tensile strength of HSFRC with OC
..............................................................................................................................
25
Table 5.5: Variation of split tensile strength of FSFRC with OC
..............................................................................................................................
26
Table 5.6: Variation of split tensile strength of CSFRC with OC
..............................................................................................................................
26
Table 5.7: Variation of Flexural strength of HSFRC with OC
..............................................................................................................................
26
Table 5.8: Variation of Flexural strength of FSFRC with OC
..............................................................................................................................
26
Table 5.9: Variation of Flexural strength of CSFRC with OC
..............................................................................................................................
26

LIST OF FIGURES

Chapter 5
Figure 5.1: Effect of hooked steel fiber on compressive strength at different
curing ages
viii

..............................................................................................................................
27
Figure 5.2: Relationship between the hooked steel fiber content and increasing
Percentage in compressive strength at different ages
..............................................................................................................................
27
Figure 5.3: Effect of flat steel fiber on compressive strength at different curing
ages
..............................................................................................................................
28
Figure 5.4: Relationship between the flat steel fiber content and increasing
percentage in compressive strength at different ages
..............................................................................................................................
28
Figure 5.5: Effect of crimped steel fiber on compressive strength at different
curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
29
Figure 5.6: Relationship between the crimped steel fiber content and
increasing percentage in compressive strength at different ages
..............................................................................................................................
29
Figure 5.7: Effect of hooked steel fiber on spliting tensile strength at different
curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
30
Figure 5.8: Relationship between the hooked steel fiber content and increasing
percentage in splitting tensile strength at different ages
..............................................................................................................................
30
Figure 5.9: Effect of flat steel fiber on splitting tensile strength at different
curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
31
Figure 5.10: Relationship between the flat steel fiber content and increasing
percentage in splitting tensile strength at different ages
..............................................................................................................................
31
Figure 5.11: Effect of crimped steel fiber on splitting tensile strength at
different curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
32
Figure 5.12: Relationship between the crimped steel fiber content and
increasing percentage in splitting tensile strength at different ages

ix

..............................................................................................................................
32
Figure 5.13: Effect of hooked steel fiber on flexural strength at different curing
ages
..............................................................................................................................
33
Figure 5.14: Relationship between the hooked steel fiber content and
increasing percentage in flexural strength at different ages
..............................................................................................................................
33
Figure 5.15: Effect of flat steel fiber on flexural strength at different curing
ages
..............................................................................................................................
34
Figure 5.16: Relationship between the flat steel fiber content and increasing
percentage in flexural strength at different ages
..............................................................................................................................
34
Figure 5.17: Effect of crimped steel fiber on flexural strength at different
curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
35
Figure 5.18: Relationship between the crimped steel fiber content and
increasing percentage in flexural strength at different ages
..............................................................................................................................
35
Figure 5.19: Influence of 0.5% fiber replacement on compressive strength for
HSRFC, FSFRC &CSFRC at different curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
36
Figure 5.20: Influence of 0.75% fiber replacement on compressive strength for
HSRFC, FSFRC &CSFRC at different curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
36
Figure 5.21: Influence of 1.0% fiber replacement on compressive strength for
HSRFC, FSFRC &CSFRC at different curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
36
Figure 5.22: Influence of 0.5% fiber replacement on splitting tensile strength
for HSRFC, FSFRC &CSFRC at different curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
37
Figure 5.23: Influence of 0.75% fiber replacement on splitting tensile strength
for HSRFC, FSFRC &CSFRC at different curing ages

..............................................................................................................................
37
Figure 5.24: Influence of 10% fiber replacement on splitting tensile strength
for HSRFC, FSFRC &CSFRC at different curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
37
Figure 5.25: Influence of 0.5% fiber replacement on flexural strength for
HSRFC, FSFRC &CSFRC at different curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
38
Figure 5.26: Influence of 0.75% fiber replacement on flexural strength for
HSRFC, FSFRC &CSFRC at different curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
38
Figure 5.27: Influence of 1.0% fiber replacement on flexural strength for
HSRFC, FSFRC &CSFRC at different curing ages
..............................................................................................................................
38

ABBREVIATION

xi

OC

Ordinary concrete

SFRC

Steel fiber reinforced concrete

HSFRC

Hooked steel fiber reinforced concrete

FSFRC

Flat steel fiber reinforced concrete

CSFRC

Crimped steel fiber reinforced concrete

HSFRC 0.50 Hooked steel fiber reinforced concrete with 0.50% steel fifer by volume
HSFRC 0.75 Hooked steel fiber reinforced concrete with 0.75% steel fifer by volume
HSFRC 1.00 Hooked steel fiber reinforced concrete with 1.00% steel fifer by volume
FSFRC 0.50

Flat steel fiber reinforced concrete with 0.50% steel fifer by volume

FSFRC 0.75

Flat steel fiber reinforced concrete with 0.75% steel fifer by volume

FSFRC 1.00

Flat steel fiber reinforced concrete with 1.00% steel fifer by volume

CSFRC 0.50 Crimped steel fiber reinforced concrete with 0.50% steel fifer by volume
CSFRC 0.75 Crimped steel fiber reinforced concrete with 0.75% steel fifer by volume
CSFRC 1.00 Crimped steel fiber reinforced concrete with 1.00% steel fifer by volume

xii

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL
Fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) may be defined as a composite materials made with
Portland cement, aggregate, and incorporating discrete discontinuous fibres. Plain,
unreinforced concrete is a brittle material, with a low tensile strength and a low strain
capacity. The role of randomly distributes discontinuous fibres is to bridge across the cracks
that develop provides some post- cracking ductility. If the fibres are sufficiently strong,
sufficiently bonded to material, and permit the FRC to carry significant stresses over a
relatively large strain capacity in the post-cracking stage. There are, of course, other (and
probably cheaper) ways of increasing the strength of concrete. The real contribution of the
fibres is to increase the toughness of the concrete (defined as some function of the area under
the load vs. deflection curve), under any type of loading. That is, the fibres tend to increase
the strain at peak load, and provide a great deal of energy absorption in post-peak portion of
the load vs. deflection curve. When the fibre reinforcement is in the form of short discrete
fibres, they act effectively as rigid inclusions in the concrete matrix. Physically, they have
thus the same order of magnitude as aggregate inclusions; steel fibre reinforcement cannot
therefore be regarded as a direct replacement of longitudinal reinforcement in reinforced and
prestressed structural members. However, because of the inherent material properties of fibre
concrete, the presence of fibres in the body of the concrete or the provision of a tensile skin
of fibre concrete can be expected to improve the resistance of conventionally reinforced
structural members to cracking, deflection and other serviceability conditions. The fibre
reinforcement may be used in the form of three dimensionally randomly distributed fibres
throughout the structural member when the added advantages of the fibre to shear resistance
and crack control can be further utilised. On the other hand, the fibre concrete may also be
used as a tensile skin to cover the steel reinforcement when a more efficient two
dimensional orientation of the fibres could be obtained.
13

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT STUDY

The specific objectives of the present study are as below.
1. To carry out literature review for detail understanding of steel fibre reinforced concrete.
2. The behavior of SFRC can be understood better, when a relative study is made. To
facilitate this, SFRC concrete specimens were tested under the same conditions of
ordinary concrete specimens.
3. To study the influence of compressive strength of various steel fibrous reinforced
concrete with different percentage (0.5, 0.75 & 1.0) of fibre replacement over ordinary
concrete.
4. To study the influence of split tensile strength of various steel fibrous reinforced concrete
with different percentage (0.5, 0.75 & 1.0) of fibre replacement over ordinary concrete.
5. To study the influence of flexural strength of various steel fibrous reinforced concrete
with different percentage (0.5, 0.75 & 1.0) of fibre replacement over ordinary concrete.

1.3 ORGANISATION OF THE REPORT

The present work has been organised into six chapters. Following is a brief outline of
the report.
In the second chapter, general overview of literatures from various journals and
publication are overviewed and discussed.
The third chapter presents the general overviews of various materials used in this
study are discussed.
The fourth chapter presents the experimental program like mixing procedure,
specification, detail of various tests and their procedure.
The fifth chapter deals with the various results and discussions of the study.
As a result of the study carried out, overall conclusions, contribution are presented in
the last chapter to bring out the outcome of the present work.

14

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

Shakir A.Salih. [1] investigate the effect of steel fiber content on the mechanical
properties of the concrete matrix. The experimental result showed the using of steel fibers in
concrete led to a considerable improvement in mechanical properties of concrete. The result
exhibited that the addition of 1% steel fiber to concrete increases the compressive strength
significantly. Also the result show that the addition of 1.5% steel fiber increases the splitting
and flexural strength significant.
Peillere et al. [2] investigated the effect of fiber addition on the autogenously cracking
of silica fume concrete. The tests showed that steel fibers can lengthen the time elapsed
before cracking and can provide confinement after cracking of concrete. As in the case of
conventional concrete, the use of steel fiber substantially increases the energy of high
strength concrete. The tests also show that the resulting concrete can be kept reasonably
workable by modifying the aggregate ratio in composition of the concrete and using fibers
having a relatively low aspect ratio.
Al sakiny [3] investigate the effect of steel fiber content, high range water reducing
agent (HRWRA) and effect of rise husk ash (RHA) in producing ultra high strength fiber
reinforced concrete. The result demonstrated that reference concrete modified with 2%, 2.5%,
3% steel fiber by volume showed a slight reduction in compressive strength at early age of
curing. On the other hand this concrete showed a significant increase in other properties. The
result also demonstrated that the incorporation of HRWRA in concrete led to a considerable
improvement in compressive splitting tensile, flexural strength, static modulus of elasticity,
Poissons ratio and impact resistance. Where the inclusion of 8%RHA,as partial replacement
by weight of cement with HRWRA showed superior performance in those properties over
those of HRWRA concrete.

15

Ameir [4] investigated the engineering properties of high performance lightweight

aggregate concrete containing various types of chemical, mineral admixtures and steel fiber.
Result indicate that, HRWRA steel fiber reinforced light weight aggregate concrete showed
considerable improvement in compressive, splitting, flexural strengths, impact resistance,
static modulus of elasticity and Poissons ratio are compared to fiber reinforced lightweight
aggregate concrete with out HRWRA. On the other hand, the inclusion of RHA as partial
replacement by weight of cement with optimum doge of HRWRA showed superior
performance over those of HRWRA fiber reinforced concrete.
Potrzebowski [5] (1983) researched on the splitting test applied to steel fiber
reinforced concrete. He tested on cube specimen cut from flexural test prisms, which were
themselves obtained from slabs. The results show that the splitting tensile strength is strongly
influenced by the number of fibers intersecting the failure plane and their orientation.
Specimens subjected to the loads perpendicular to the plane of vibration are shown to give
consistent results where as specimens loaded parallel to the plane of vibration gave low
results.
Zollo [6] (1997) overviewed on fiber reinforced concrete over the 30 years of
development. It discusses commonly applied terminology and models of mechanical behavior
that form a basis for understanding material performance without presenting mathematical
details. They reviewed properly about FRC rather than as historical reporting.
Parviz Soroushian and Cha-Don Lee [7] Measurements were made of the number of
fibers per unit cross-sectional area in steel fiber reinforced concrete specimens incorporating
various volume fractions of fibers of different types. Based on statistical evaluation of the
measured values, the differences in fiber concentration at different location on the cross
section were assessed. Theoretical expressions were derived for the number of fibers per unit
cross-sectional area in the fiber reinforced concrete, with due consideration given to the
effects of the surrounding boundaries. The effects of vibration on reorientation of steel fibers
in concrete were investigated through comparisons between the computed and measured
values of number of fibers per unit cross-sectional area

16

3. MATERIALS

3.1 CEMENT
Cement has different properties and characteristics which depend upon their chemical
compositions. By changing in fineness of grinding, oxide compositions cement have exhibit
different properties and different kind of cement. The use of additives, changing chemical
composition, and use of different raw materials have resulted the availability of many types
of cements.
Cement used in the experimental work is ORDIRARY PORTLAND CEMENT of 43
grades conforming to IS: 8112/1989. The physical properties & chemical properties of the
cement obtained on conducting appropriate tests are as per IS: 269/4831 and the requirements
as per IS: 8112/1989 are given in the Table 3.1 & Table 3.2

3.2 AGGREGATES
Aggregates are the important constituents in concrete. They give body to the concrete,
reduce shrinkage and effect economy. The fact that the aggregates occupy 70-80 present of
volume of concrete, it has some impact on various characteristics and properties of concrete.
Earlier, aggregates were considered as chemically inert material but now it has been
recognised that some of the aggregate are chemical active and also certain aggregates ere
exhibit chemical bond at the interface of aggregate and paste.

3.2.1 Corse aggregate

Crushed granite of 10mm & 20mm size are used as coarse aggregate. The sieve
analysis of aggregates confirms to the specifications of IS: 383-1970. The Physical Properties
are given in the Table 3.3

17

3.2.2 Fine Aggregate

Fine aggregate which satisfied the required properties for experimental work and
conforms to zone as per the specification of IS: 383-1970. . The Physical Properties are given
in the Table 3.4

3.3 STEEL FIBRE

Steel fibers are produced by cutting or chopping the wire & thin flat sheet. A number
of steel-fiber types Indented round, Crimped round, Machined round, Hook-ended round, Flat
sheet and crimped flat are available as reinforcement to concrete conforming IS: 280-1976
with an aspect ratio 30-250. Three different mild steel fibers Crimped Round MSC 45 -30,
Hooked End

MSH 60-30 & Crimped Flat MSCF 50mm are used. The various physical

properties of steel fiber are given in Table 2.6 & improvements of SFRC over ordinary
concrete are given in Table 3.7

3.4 WATERS
Clean potable water as obtained from laboratory of Civil Engineering Department of
KITT University was used for mixing and curing of concrete

Table 3.1 Physical Properties of 43 grade ordinary Portland cement

SL.NO
1
2

PARTICULARS
Fineness obtained (inM2/Kg)
Setting time (Minutes)
1. Initial
2. Final
Soundness
1. Lechatiler expansion (mm)
2. Autoclave (%)
Compressive strength (Mpa)
1. 72+1Hr
2. 168+2Hr
3. 672+4Hr

18

TEST RESULTS

REQUIREMENT OF
IS:8112/1987

310

225 (min)

170
235

30 (min)
600 (max)

1.50
0.012

10(max)
0.8(max)

30.2
40.1
52.8

23.0(min)
33.0(min)
43.0(min)

Table 3.2 Chemical Properties of 43 grade ordinary Portland cement

SL.NO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

PARTICULARS

TEST RESULTS

Lime (% by mass)
Soluble silica (% by mass)
Alumina (% by mass)
Iron Oxide(% by mass)
Magnesia(% by mass)
Sulphuric Anhydride(% by mass)
Loss on Ingnistion(% by mass)
Insoluble Reside(% by mass)
Chlorides (% by mass)
Lime saturation Factor
Al2O3/Fe2O3

REQUIREMENT OF
IS:8112/1987

60.87
20.55
5.36
4.00
0.74
1.83
3.10
2.93
0.0173
0.90
1.34

6 (max)
3 (max)
4 (max)
5(max)
0.05 (max)
0.66-1.02
0.66(min)

Table 3.3 Physical Properties of coarse aggregate

SL.NO
1
2
3

PARTICULARS
Specific Gravity
Fineness Modulus
Water Absorption

TEST RESULTS
2.7
6.2
0.4(%)

Table 3.4 Physical Properties of fine aggregate

SL.NO
1
2
3
4

PARTICULARS
Specific gravity
Fineness Modulus
Water Absorption
Free Surface Moisture

Table 3.5 Types of steel fiber

19

TEST RESULTS
2.65
2.47
0.85(%)
0.90(%)

TYPES OF STEEL
FIBRE

SHAPES

DIMENSION

Indented
Crimped
Machined
Hook-Ended

Round

Rectangular or Flat

0.25-0.75 ()

Flat Sheet
Flat Crimped

0.15-0.41(thick)
0.25-0.90(width)

Table 3.6 Physical Properties of steel fiber

TYPE OF FIBERS

MSH
6030

MSC
4530

MSCF
50

Specific gravity

7.86

7.86

7.86

Effective modulus (Gpa)

200

200

200

Tensile strength (Mpa)

350

350

350

Elongation at breaking point (%)

3.5

3.5

3.5

Aspect ratio

50

66.77

60

Table 3.7 Improvement of SFRC over ordinary concrete of s

PROPERTY

IMPROVEMENT OVER ORDINARY

CONCRETE

Ductility
Impact resistance
Cracking & flexural strength
Bearing strength
Fatigue resistance in flexure
Fatigue resistance in compression
Confinement of concrete in compressive stress

5 -10
100-500 %
80-120 %
50-100 %
Up to a large extend
Significant
Significant

20

4. EXPERIMENT POGRAM

4.1 PREPARATION OF CONCRETE SPECIMENS

Different mix of SFRC & Ordinary concrete obtained to conduct compression test on
standard BIS specimen of size 150150150 mm, split tensile test on standard BIS specimen
of size 150 mm(diameter) & 300 mm (height), flexural test on standard BIS specimen of size
100100500 mm. The curing period for the BIS specimen are 7 &28 days respectably.

4.2MIXING PROCEDURE
Uniform mixing of concrete should be ensured to get correct test results of the
specimen. For ordinary concrete, initially the coarse aggregate is weighed for required
quantity per mix proportioning in tray 1; the Sand is weighed and poured into another mixing
tray2, which is completely dry. Cement is weighed and uniformly spread on the surface of
sand into tray 2 and uniform mixing is ensured. Mixed cement and sand from tray 2 is
uniformly spread on the coarse aggregate in tray 1, dry mixing is carried out, later water
mixed with the dry mix, mixing is ensured up to a minimum of 5 minutes until uniform
colour of concrete is seen. Immediately the concrete is measured for slump and placed in
moulds as per procedure.
For Steel fiber Reinforced concrete (SFRC), the above-explained procedure is
followed except that before adding cement and sand to coarse aggregate. Fiber is thoroughly
mixed with cement and sand, then the mixture of fiber, sand and Cement is mixed with
aggregate and further procedure is followed to achieve the different types of fibrous concrete
(HSFRC, FSFRC, CSFRC) with 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% by replacement of fine and coarse
aggregate over volume of ordinary concrete.

21

4.3 TESTING OF FRESH CONCRETE

The slump test was conducted to measure the degree of workability for ordinary
concrete and steel fibrer reinforced concrete. The factor which has a major effect on workability
is the aspect ratio (l/d) of the fibres. The workability decreases with increasing aspect ratio, in
practice it is very difficult to achieve a uniform mix if the aspect ratio is greater than about 100.

The water cement ratios used in this study for a slump value of 70 5mm are shown in Table
4.1.

4.4 CASTING COMPACTION AND CURING

4.4.1 Casting and Curing of Cube Specimens

The steel cube moulds were coated with oil on their inner surface and were placed on
granite platform. The amount of cement, sand, coarse aggregates required for cubes, were
weighed. The materials were first dry mixed then mixed with 1/3rd amount of total water. Slump
test is conducted to measure the degree of workability of mix. Concrete was poured in to the
moulds in three layers: each layer was uniformly tamped by a tamping rod with 25 numbers of
blows. The top surface was finished using a trowel.

Moulds were safely demoulded causing no damage to the specimen and immediately
concrete cube specimens and immediately concrete cube specimens were kept in curing tank,
completely immersed in for curing.

4.4.2 Casting and Curing Of Cylinder Specimens

The steel cylinder moulds were coated with oil on their inner surfaces and were
placed on a granite platform. The amount of cement, sand, coarse aggregates required for
cylinders were weighed. The materials were first dry mixed, then mixed with, 1/3rd amount
of total water, Chemical admixture mixed with left amount of water is now added and mixed
thoroughly to get a homogeneous mix. Slump lest conducted to measure the degree of
workability of mix. Slump lest conducted to measure the degree of workability of mix.
Concrete was poured in to the moulds in four equal Layer each layer as uniformly tamped by
a tamping rod with 35 numbers of blows. The top surface was finished using a trowel.
22

Moulds were safely demoulded causing no damage to the specimen and immediately
concrete cylinder specimen were kept in curing tank completely immersed for Curing up to
desired period.

4.4.3 Casting and Curing Of Prism Specimens

The steel prism moulds were coated with oil on their inner surfaces and were placed
on a granite platform. The amount of cement, sand, coarse aggregates required for 9 prisms
were weighed. The materials were first dry mixed then mixed with 1/3rd amount of total
water. Slump test is conduced to measure the degree of workability of mix. Concrete was
poured in to the moulds in two equal layers: each layer was uniformly tamped by a tamping
rod. The top surface was finished using a trowel.
Moulds were safely demoulded causing no damage to the specimen and immediately
Concrete prism specimen and immediately Concrete prism specimens were kept in curing
tank completely immersed for Suring up to desired period.

4.5 TESTING OF HARDENED CONCRETE

4.5.1Compressive Strength of concrete

The compressive strength of concrete i.e. Ultimate strength of concrete is defined as
the load to which causes failure of the specimen divided by the area of the cross section in
uniaxial compression, under a given rate of loading. To avoid large variation in the results of
compression test, a great care is taken during the casting of the test specimens and loading as
welt. It is however realized that in an actual structure, the concrete at any point is in a
complex stress condition and not in uniaxial compression. However it is customary to
conduct the test in uniaxial compression only. Concrete under triaxial state can offer more
resistance and will fail only after considerable large deformations, the use of 150mm cubes
has been made as per code of practices IS 456. The advantage of selection of Section IS-516
1959 (24) cube, as the standard test specimen is that tow plane and parallel surfaces can
always he found between which the load can he applied. Compression testing machine is
used to test the concrete cubes. The compression strength is calculated using the formula.
23

Compression Strength =

N/mm2

4.5.1.1 Testing of cube specimen

At each desired curing periods, cube specimen were taken out of water and kept for
surface drying. The cubes were tested in 40T compressive testing machine to get the
compressive strength of concrete.

4.5.2 Split tensile Strength of concrete

The split tensile strength of concreter can be obtained indirectly by subjecting a
concrete cylinder to the action of a compressive force along two opposite ends of a base of
compression testing machine.
Due to the compressive force, the cylinder is subjected to a large magnitude of the
compressive tress near the loading region. The large portion corresponding to a depth of
about 87% and length of the cylinder is subjected to a uniform tensile stress (St) is taken as
an index of the tensile strength of concrete and is given by the formula.
sp = 0.637
Where, sp = the indirect tensile strength of concrete in N/mm2.
P= Load causing rupture in KN
d= Diameter of cylinder in mm.
l= length of cylinder in mm.
The load has to be applied to be cylinder through a packing plate of rubber or
plywood. The packing plate should be of a width of not more than 13mm and thickness 3mm.

4.5.2.1 Testing of cylinder specimen

At each desired curing period, the cylinder specimen were taken out of water and kept
for drying. The cylinders were tested in a 40T capacity compressive testing machine to get
the split tensile strength of concrete. Each specimen is carefully placed in position, so that
loading is uniformly distributed over the length of the specimen, in split tensile test; the
specimen is supported with two timber pieces on top and bottom of the specimen and
24

uniformly distribute the load. Load is applied without shock and increased continuously until
no greater load can be sustained. Maximum load applied on the specimen is recorded.
4.5.2 Flexural Strength of concrete
Modulus of rupture is defined as the normal tensile stress in concrete, when cracking
occurs in flexure test (IS 516-1599). This tensile stress is the flexural strength of concrete and
is calculated by the use of the formula, which assumes that the section is homogeneous.
Fb = pl/bd2
Where,Fb= Modulus of rupture, N/mm2
b= Measured depth in mm
l= span length in mm
P= Max, Load in KN applied to the specimen.
The symmetrical two points loading creates a pure bending zone with constant
bending moment in the middle third span and thus the modulus of rupture obtained is not
affected by shear, as in the case of single concentrated load acting on the specimen. The
concrete test specimen is a prism of cross section 100mm 100mm and 500mm long. It is
loaded on a span of 400mm. Modulus of Rupture is useful as design criterion or concrete
pavements and for evaluating the cracking moment (Mcr), which is the moment that causes
the first crack in a prestressed concrete or partially prestressed concrete beam.
.0 cm specimen, or less than 11.0cm for a 10.0 cm specimen, the result of the test be
discarded]

4.5.1.1 Testing of prism specimen

At each desired curing periods the Prism specimens were taken out of water and kept
for surface drying. The prisms were tested in Flexure testing machine by arranging two point
loading system m. each Specimen is carefully placed in position. Load is applied without
shock and rate of increase in loading is maintained. Maximum load applied on the specimen
is recorded at the point of failure of the specimen and flexural strength is calculated.
Table 4.1 Various proportion and w/c ratio of fibrous concrete mix
TYPES

STEEL
FIBER
CONTENT
BY

CEMENT
CONTENT
(kg)

FINE
AGGREGATE
(kg)

25

CORSE
AGGREGATE
(kg)

STEEL
FIBER
(kg)

W/C
RATIO
FOR
SLUMP

VOLUME
(%)
OC
HSFRC 0.50
FSFRC 0.50
CSFRC 0.50

70 5
(mm)

409

613

1227

0.50

0.50

409

600.2

1200.3

39.25

0.43

HSFRC 0.75
FSFRC 0.75
CSFRC 0.75

0.75

409

593.7

1187.4

58.87
5

0.46

HSFRC 1.00
FSFRC 1.00
CSFRC 1.00

1.00

409

587.2

1174.3

78.5

0.48

26

5. RESULT AND DISSCUSION

This chapter deals with the presentation of test result, and discussion on compressive
strength, tensile strength and flexural strength development of ordinary concrete over steel
fiber reinforced concrete of HSFRC,FSFRC,CSFRC at different percentage (0.5,0.75,1) and
different curing period.

5.1 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

The compressive strength is the main criterion for the purpose of structural design.
The strength development in steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) studied at 7 & 28 days.
The variation of compressive strength on HSFRC, FSFRC & CSFRC with different
percentage (0.5, 0.75, 1) of steel fiber over OC are given in Table 5.1, Table 5.2 & Table 5.3
The compressive strength development at various curing ages for all type of concrete
are presented in tabular form. Result of all concrete specimens exhibited increase in
compressive strength with increase of curing age.

5.2 SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH

In RCC construction, the strength of concrete in compression is only taken into
consideration the tensile strength of concrete is generally neglected, as it is relatively low in
comparison to the compressive strength. But there are some current structures; where the
tensile strength of concrete also finds a good place during design. Therefore it is necessary to
assess the tensile strength of concrete. The use of Steel Fiber increases the tensile strength of
concrete. The variation of splitting tensile strength on HSFRC, FSFRC & CSFRC with
different percentage (0.5, 0.75,1) of steel fiber over OC are given in Table 5.3,Table 5.4 &
Table 5.5
The splitting tensile strength was determined at ages of 7 & 28 days for moist cured
concrete specimens. The test result of the splitting tensile strength are indicated that in
27

general, all types of concrete specimens exhibited continued increase in splitting strength
with development of curing ages.
From graphs it is observed that the splitting tensile strength of SFRC increases at all
ages of curing compared with the ordinary concrete. This increase maybe ascribed to the
significant reduction in capillary porosity of the cement matrix as well as a good dispersion
of the cement grains throughout the mix, there by increasing bond strength leading to a
significant increase in splitting tensile strength.

5.3 FLEXURAL STRENGTH

It is seen that strength of concrete in compression and tension in both direction (i.e.
direct tension and flexural tension) are closely related, but the relationship is not of direct
proportionality. The ratio of two strengths depends on general level of strength of concrete. In
other words, for higher compressive strength of concrete shows higher tensile strength, but
the rate of increase of tensile strength is increasing order. The use of steel fiber increases the
tensile strength of concrete the variation of flexural strength on HSFRC, FSFRC & CSFRC
with different percentage (0.5,0.75,1) of steel fiber over OC are given in Table 5.7,Table 5.8
& Table 5.9
The percentage of increase in flexural strength of CSFRC relative to ordinary concrete
at 7 days and 28 days were 8.45%, 26.12% & 35.86% and 9.68%, 26.60% & 30.68% for
CSFRC with 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00% of crimped steel fiber content.
Table 5.1 Variation of compressive strength of HSFRC with OC
TYPES
OC
HSFRC 0.50 %
HSFRC 0.75 %
HSFRC 1.00 %

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (Mpa)

7 DAYS
28 DAYS
21.98
32.98
22.56
34.51
22.66
35.88
22.41
34.12

Table 5.2 Variation of compressive strength of FSFRC with OC

TYPES
OC
FSFRC 0.50 %
FSFRC 0.75 %

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (Mpa)

7 DAYS
28 DAYS
21.98
32.98
22.38
33.96
22.43
34.22
28

FSFRC 1.00 %

22.18

33.78

Table 5.3 Variation of Compressive strength of CSFRC with OC

TYPES
OC
CSFRC 0.50 %
CSFRC 0.75 %
CSFRC 1.00 %

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (Mpa)

7 DAYS
28 DAYS
21.98
32.98
22.42
34.38
22.48
35.26
22.26
33.42

Table 5.4 Variation of Split tensile strength of HSFRC with OC

TYPES
OC
HSFRC 0.50 %
HSFRC 0.75 %
HSFRC 1.00 %

SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH (Mpa)

7 DAYS
28 DAYS
1.93
2.96
2.34
3.41
2.82
3.84
3.08
4.38

Table 5.5 Variation of Split tensile strength of FSFRC with OC

TYPES
OC
FSFRC 0.50 %
FSFRC 0.75 %
FSFRC 1.00 %

SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH (Mpa)

7 DAYS
28 DAYS
1.93
2.96
2.38
3.41
2.86
3.84
3.11
4.38

Table 5.6 Variation of Split tensile strength of CSFRC with OC

TYPES
OC
CSFRC 0.50 %
CSFRC 0.75 %
CSFRC 1.00 %

SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH (Mpa)

7 DAYS
28 DAYS
1.93
2.96
2.44
3.75
2.92
4.48
3.18
4.76

Table 5.7 Variation of Flexural strength of CSFRC with OC

TYPES
OC
HSFRC 0.50 %
HSFRC 0.75 %

FLEXURAL STRENGTH (Mpa)

7 DAYS
28 DAYS
4.02
4.905
4.33
5.36
4.98
5.98
29

HSFRC 1.00 %

5.42

6.33

Table 5.8 Variation of Flexural strength of CSFRC with OC

TYPES
OC
FSFRC 0.50 %
FSFRC 0.75 %
FSFRC 1.00 %

FLEXURAL STRENGTH (Mpa)

7 DAYS
28 DAYS
4.02
4.905
4.35
5.37
5.03
6.17
5.44
6.39

Table 5.9 Variation of Flexural strength of CSFRC with OC

TYPES
OC
CSFRC 0.50 %
CSFRC 0.75 %
CSFRC 1.00 %

FLEXURAL STRENGTH (Mpa)

7 DAYS
28 DAYS
4.02
4.905
4.36
5.38
5.07
6.21
5.46
6.41

30

Figure 5.1Effect of hooked steel fiber on compressive strength at different curing ages

Figure 5.2 Relationship between the hooked steel fiber content and increasing
percentage in compressive strength at different ages

31

Figure 5.3Effect of flat steel fiber on compressive strength at different curing ages

Figure 5.4 Relationship between the flat steel fiber content and increasing percentage in
compressive strength at different age

Figure 5.5 Effect of crimped steel fiber on compressive strength at different curing age

Figure 5.6 Relationship between the crimped steel fiber content and increasing
percentage in compressive strength at different ages

6. CONCLUSION

In this present study an effort has been taken to enlighten the use of different
types of commercial available steel fiber to obtain the fiber reinforced concrete and
comparing their mechanical properties with ordinary concrete. Based on the
experimental observation in current study following conclusions can be made.

Compressive strength of steel fibrous concrete at 0.5%, 0.75% and 1%

of steel fiber increases compare to ordinary concrete. However it is
observed that compressive strength of fibrous concrete with 1% of
steel fibre decreases with compare to 0.75% of steel fibrous concrete.
It is noted that compressive strength increases with age at all
percentage of fibre content.

The splitting tensile strength and flexural strength also increases with
age and steel fiber content. It has been observed that at all percent of
steel fibre content splitting tensile strength of steel fibre concrete
increases about 50 to 60% over ordinary concrete. It is found that at all
percent of steel fibre content flexural strength of steel fibre concrete
increases about 30% over ordinary concrete. However it is seen that
the influence is maximum for both split and flexural strength at 1%
steel fiber content.

Hooked end steel fibre reinforced concrete at all percent of fiber

content has maximum influence on compressive strength as compare to
flat and crimped steel fiber reinforced concrete. Where as influence is
maximum at 0.75% of hooked steel fiber content.

Crimped steel fiber reinforced concrete at all percent of fiber content

has maximum influence on split tensile and flexural strength as
compare to hooked and flat steel fiber reinforced concrete. Where as
influence is maximum at 1% of crimped steel fiber content.

34

7. REFERENCES

[1] Shakir A.Salih, Saeed K. Rejeb and Khalid B. Najem Effect of steel
fibres on the properties of high performance concrete A1-Rafidain Engineering
,vol.13, no.4, 2005.
[2] Paillere A.M., Buil M., and Serrano J.J., Effect of Fibre Addition on the
Autogenous Cracking of Silica fume concrete, ACI Materials journal, Vol.86, No.2,
pp.139-144. 1989 [3] A1-Sakiny, Z.H. Engineering Properties of ultra High Strength
fiber Reinforced Concrete, M.Sc. Thesis, Baghbad, 2002.
[4] Ameir, G.T. Engineering properties of high performance fiber reinforced
light weight aggregate concrete,M.Sc.Thesis, University of Technology, Baghdad,
2002.
[5] Potrzebowski Janusz, The splitting test applied to steel fiber reinforced
concrete, The International Journal of Cement Composites and Lightweight
Concrete, Vol. 5, No. 1,
[6] Zollo F. Ronald Fiber-reinforced Concrete: an Overview after 30 Years of
Development, Cement & Concrete Composite, vol. 19, 1997, 107-122
[7] Parviz Soroushian and Cha-Don Lee Distribution and Orientation of
Fibers in Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete ACI materials Journal, vol. 87, 1990,
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[8] A. K. Sharma Shear Strength of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beams
ACI material journal, vol. 83, 1986, pp.624-628
[9] R. N. Swamy and Saad A. AI-Taan Deformation and Ultimate Strength
in Flexure of Reinforced Concrete Beams Made with Steel Fiber Concrete vol.78,
1981, pp.395-405
[10] Duane E. Otter and Antoine E. Naaman Properties of Steel Fiber
Reinforced Concrete under Cyclic Load vol. 85, 1988, pp.254-261

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