Experimental Studies on Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

The objective of the study is to analyze systematically the effects of steel fiber reinforcement in concrete. Concrete mixes were prepared using M40 grade concrete and hooked end glued steel fiber with aspect ratio of 80 were added at a dosage of 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 1.5 % volume fraction of concrete. The fiber reinforcement effects were analyzed for different types of distribution in the concrete beam. Fibers were dispersed in two different ways either homogeneously in concrete sections or localized in the tension zone or laid parallel to the beam axis. The mechanical properties such as the flexural strength using a third point loading and compressive strength properties were determined. Load vs deflections were plotted for various fiber concrete specimens and toughness evaluations were made systematically using graph software in order to quantify the energy absorbing mechanism. Test results were compared with that of plain concrete specimen and the relative improvements on the toughness were measured. Significant conclusions were drawn and comparative analyses on the post elastic deformation capacity of different concrete specimens were measured.