EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF STEEL FIBER

REINFORCED CONCETRE
1
P.KOWSALYA,2N.JETLY,3J.JANANI
123
UG Student Department of CivilEngineering, Loyola Institute of Technology,

Chennai-600123,

Tamil Nadu,India

Email:1kowsi197@gmail.com,2jetly.yehova@gmail.com,3jananijayaram1996@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:
This paper deals with experimental investigation of steel fiber reinforced concrete for
M25 grade having mix proportion of 1:1:2 with 0.5 water cement ratio to study the
compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength of steel fiber reinforced concrete
(SFRC) containing fibers of 0.5% volume fraction of hook end steel fiber of 50 aspect ratio
were used. A result data obtained has been analyzed and relationship between compressive
strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength vs days represented graphically.

Keywords: steel fiber reinforced concrete, compressive strength, split tensile strength,
flexural strength.

1. INTRODUCTION: 2002). Since then, the use of SFRC has

Fiber reinforcement concrete can be
defined as composite material consisting
of mixture of cement, mortar or concrete
and discontinues, discrete, uniformly
dispersed suitable fiber, continuous
meshes, woven fabrics and long wires or
rods are not considered to the fibers.
Definition of SFRC
gathered great interest, with research
demonstrating the potential benefits that
may lie in the use of the material in both
structural and non-structural applications.
Objective
To investigate the properties of steel fiber
reinforced concrete experimentally with
the following test results

steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) is a  compressive strength

composite material whose components  split tensile strength
include the traditional constituents of  flexural strength
Portland cement concrete (hydration
II. LITERATURE REVIEW:
cement, fine and coarse aggregate,
admixture..) and a dispersion of randomly Vengatachalapathy.V, IIangovan.R
oriented short discrete steelfibers. The (2010), this experimental study deals with
development of steel fibers reinforced the behavior and ultimate strength of steel
concretes began in the early 1960s (Li,
fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) deep
beams with and without
Openings in web subjected to two-point
loadings, nine concrete deep beams of
dimensions 750mm×350mm×75mm
thickness were tested to destruction by
applying gradually increased load. Simply
supported conditions were maintained for
all the concrete deep beams. The
percentage of steel fiber was varied from 0
to 1.0.The influence of fiber content in the
concrete deep beams has been studied by
measuring the deflection of the deep
beams and by observing the cracks
patterns. The investigation also includes
the study of steel fiber reinforced concrete
deep beams with web reinforcement with
and without openings. The ultimate loads
obtained by applying the modified Kong
and sharp’s formula of deep beams are
compared with the experimental values.
The above study indicates that the location
of openings and the amount of web
reinforcement are the principal parameter
that affects the behavior and strength of
deep beams.
MilindV. Mohod, (2012), in this paper
effect of fiber on the strength of concrete
for M30 grade have been studied by
varying the percentage of fiber in concrete.
Fiber content was varied by 0.25%, 0.50%,
0.75%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% by volume of
cement. Cubes of size 150mm
×150mm×150mm to check the
compressive strength and beams of size
500mm×100mm×100mm for checking
flexural strength was casted. All the
specimens were cured for the period of
3,7,28 days before crushing. The results if
fiber reinforcement concrete for 3 days,
7days, 28 days curing with varied
percentage of fibers were studied and it
has been found that there is significant
strength improvement in steel fiber
reinforced concrete. The optimum fiber
content while studying the compressive
strength of cube is found to be 1% and
0.75% for flexural strength of the beam.
Also, it has been observed that with the
increases the strength in fiber content up to
the optimum value increases the strength
of concrete. Slump cone test results
revealed that workability gets reduced with
increase in increase in fiber content.
A.M. Shende, A.M.Pande,
M.GulfamPathan,(2012), critical
investigation for M-40 grade of concrete
having mix proportion 1:1.43:3.04 with
water cement ratio 0.35 to study the
compressive strength, split tensile
strength, flexural strength of steel fiber
reinforced concrete (SFRC) containing
fibers of 0%, 1%, 2% and 3% volume of
fraction. Steel fibers of 50, 60 and 67
aspect ratio were used. A result data
obtained has been analyzed and compared
with a control specimen (0% fiber). A
relationship between aspect ratio vs.
compressive strength, flexural strength
split aspect ratio vs. split tensile strength,
represented graphically. Result data clearly
shows percentage increases in 28 days
compressive strength, flexural strength and
split tensile strength for M-40 grade of
concrete.
Khadahe S.N.Konapure C.G.(2012) this
paper deals with investigation for M-25
grade of concrete having mix proportion
1:1.50:3.17 with water cement ratio 0.465
to study the compressive strength and
flexural strength of steel fiber reinforced
concrete (SFRC) containing fibers of an
interval of 0.5% from 0.0% to 1.5%
volume fraction of hook end steel fibers of
71 aspect ratio were used. The percentage
of fly ash by weight is to be increased by
10% from 0.0% to 30%. After curing this
specimen were tested as per relevant codes
of practice Bureau of Indian Standard. A
result data obtained has been analyzed and
compared with a control specimen. A
relationship between compressive strength
vs. days, and flexural strength vs. days
represented graphically. Result data clearly
shows percentage increase in 7, 28 & 45
days compressive strength for M-25 grade
of concrete.
III. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM:
METHODOLOGY
 Collection of materials
 Finding of material properties
 Casting, curing of specimens
 Testing of specimens
 Results and discussion
MATERIAL USED:
In coarse aggregate, water and steel fibers
were used. this experimental study,
cement, sand,
 Cement: ordinary Portland cement
of 53 grade was used in this
experimentation conforming to LS-8112-
1989.
 Fine aggregate: locally available
sand zone II 2.27, fineness modulus ,
conforming to IS. 383-1970.
 Coarse aggregate: crushed stone
of 20mm size having specific gravity 2.15
conforming code book IS 393-1970.
 Water: portable water was used
for the experimentation.
 Steel fiber: In this
experimentation, Hook end steel fibers
were used. The steel fibers with 50 aspect
ratio, its 50mm length and 1mm diameter
adopted.
CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONS
Concrete for M25 grade were prepared as
per IS-10262:2009, a mix proportion of
1:1:2 with 0.5 water cement ratio to get a
characteristic strength of M25 was
considered for this study.
DETAILS OF SPECIMENS:
Cube, cylinder, beam casting for using
M25 grade of concrete
Table2. Specimen’s details
Cement 206.73 kg
Fine aggregate 206.73 kg
Coarse aggregate 413.53 kg
Water 103.39 liters
Steel fibers 0.5% by volume of
concrete
MIXING OF CONCRETE
The concrete shall be mixed by hand, or
preferably in laboratory batch mixer, in such a
manner as to avoid loss of water or other
material. Each mix of concrete shall be such a
size as to leave about 10% excess after
molding the desired number of test specimens.
The proportion of the determining the
suitability of the material available shall be
similar in all respects to those to be employed
in the work where the proportions of the
ingredients of the concrete as used on the site
to be specified by volume, they shall be
calculated from the proportions be weight
used in the test specimen and the unit weights
of the materials.
CASTING OF SPECIMENS
The materials were weighed accurately using a
digital weighing instrument. For plain
concrete, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate,
cement, water were added to the mixture
machine and mixed thoroughly for three
minutes. Steel fibers were mechanically
sprinkled inside the mixture machine after
through mixing of the ingredient of concrete.
For preparing the specimen for compressive,
tensile and flexural strength permanent steel
moulds were used before mixing the concrete
the moulds were used before mixing the
concrete the moulds were kept ready and
properly oiled at sides and bottom for easy
demoulding.
CURING
The test specimens shall be stored in a place
away from vibration in moist air or 90%
relative humidity and at a temperature of
27±½ hours from the time of addition of water
to dry ingredients. After this period, the
specimen shall be marked and removed from
the moulds and unless required for the test
within 24 hours, immediately submerged in
clean, fresh water of saturated lime.
IV. TEST CONDUCTED ON HARDENED
CONCRETE:
a. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
The compressive test was conducted on cube
specimens cured for 7, 14 & 28 days, the test
cubes were removed from the moist storage 24
hours before testing. The top and bottom
bearing plates of the compressive testing
machine were wiped and cleaned before the
placement of the specimen. Cube mould size
150×150×150 mm were casted and allowed
for curing in a curing tank for 28 days. The
compressive strength testing was calculated as
follows:
Compressive strength (MPa) = failure load
/cross sectional area.
b. TENSILE STRENGTH TEST
For tensile strength test, cylinder specimens of
dimension 150 mm diameter and 300 mm
length were cast. The specimens were
demoulded after 24 hours of casting and were
transferred to curing tank where in they
allowed to cure for 7, 14 & 28 days. These
specimens were tested under compressive
testing machine. In each category, three
cylinders were tested and their average value
is reported.
Tensile strength was calculated as follows as
split tensile strength:
Tensile strength (MPa) = 2P / π DL
where, P = failure load
D = diameter of cylinder,
= length of cylinder
c. FLEXURAL STRENGTH TEST
The flexural strength of concrete bean was
determined based on IS: 516 – 1959. Beam
specimens of size 1200mm × 150mm ×
200mm were casted. Beams are tested for
flexural strength by using 50T capacity
loading frame. The specimen were placed with
the clear span of loads are applied over it.
V. RESULT & DISCUSSION
Hardened concrete:
The properties of hardened concrete test
specimens are checked by
 compressive strength
 split tensile strength
 flexural strength
L COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH:
The compressive strength of cube specimen is
checked after 7, 14 & 28 days in compressive
testing machine (CTM)
Table3. Compressive strength of concrete
cube
AGE OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (MPa)
CONCRETE N/mm2
2.5% 3% 3.5% 4% 4.5% 5%
7 DAYS 35.1 35.6 36 40.4 39.1 38.2
14 DAYS 37.2 37.7 38.2 42.8 41.45 40.49
SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH
The split tensile strength of cylindrical
specimen is checked after 7, 14, 28 days in
compressive testing machine (CTM)
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
Flexural test of the beam specimen is checked
after 28 days. The flexural strength represents
the highest stress experienced within the
material at its moment of yield. It is measured
in terms of stress
VI. MODES OF FAILURE
While loading the beams under loading
frame, cracks are developed on the beam
surface were in the pure tensile zone.
When the load is keep on increased the
existing cracks are propagated and new
cracks developed along the span. The
flexural cracks gave way to inclined cracks [5]. Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete
due to the effect of shear force. The Abdul Ghaffar,Amit S.
spacing of cracks varied along the span. A Chavhan,Dr.R.S.Tatwawadi International
few cracks appeared in the flexural zones Journal of Engineering Trends and
of the concrete at initial loads. Then the Technology (IJETT) – Volume 9 Number
cracks get widened as the loads increased. 15 - Mar 2014 pp 791-797
The crack width at mid span zone is [6]. Experimental Study on Strength
considerably increased at failure loads. As Properties of Steel fibre Reinforced
well as, the deflection also increased Concrete, Sanaullah, Yousuf Ismail,
significantly. The failure pattern of the Subanallah, Touseef Ahmed,Prof
beam specimens was found to be similar Sachin,,R. Kulkarni. IJSRD - International
Journal for Scientific Research &
VII. CONCLUSION Development Vol. 3, Issue 04, 2015 pp—
1. Addition of steel fibers to concrete 3258-326120
increases the compressive strength of [7]. Study on Compressive Behavior of
concrete marginally. Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete
Nagananda. V, Dr. J.K. Dattatreya,
2. The addition of steel fibers increases the S.Suresh Journal of Civil Engineering and
tensile properties of concrete and improves Environmental TechnologyPrint ISSN:
resistance to cracking. 2349-8404; Online ISSN : 2349-879X;
Volume 2, Number 11; April – June, 2015
3. Addition of steel fiber increases the pp 37 – 40
flexural strength. [8]. Experimental study and prediction of
tensile strength for steel fiber reinforced
4. Increase the volume of fraction of fiber concrete Shende.A.M. Pande.A.M
and get good strength. International Journal of Civil And
Stuctural Engineering Volume 1, No 4,
VIII. REFERENCES 2011, ISSN 0976 – 4399
[1]. Performance Of Steel Fiber
Reinforced Concrete,Milind V. Mohod,
P.R.M.I.T.&R., Badnera. International
Journal of Engineering and Science Vol. 1,
Issue 12 (December 2012), pp 01-04
[2]. Some Studies On Steel Fibre
Reinforced Concrete Amit Rana, Adhoc
International Journal of EmerAdvanced
Engineering (ISSN 2250-2459, Volume 3,
Issue 1, January 2013) pp-120-127
[3]. A Study on Steel Fibre Reinforced
Concrete Deep Beams With and without
Openings,Vengatachalapathy.
V.Ilangovan. International Journal of Civil
And Structural Engineering Volume 1, No
3, 2010 pp-510-517
[4]. Experimental Study on Steel Fiber
Reinforced Concrete for M-40 GradeA.M.
Shende, A.M. Pande, M. Gulfam Pathan
International Refereed Journal of
Engineering and Science Volume 1, Issue
1 (September 2012), PP. 043-048