A PROJECT REPORT ON

“Study on Workability and Compressive Strength of

Concrete Blended with Steel Fibers”

SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR AWARD OF DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
IN

CIVIL ENGINEERING
BY

MIR MOIZ ALI (160516732037)

MOHAMMED ARKHAM JAHANGIR (160516732033)
MOHD. KHIZER MALIK (160516732034)
SYED ABDUL RAZZAQ (160516732094)

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

K.NANCHARI
(Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering )

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING,

ISL ENGINEERING COLLEGE, BANDLAGUDA, HYDERABAD
2016-2020
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

DECLARATION i
CERTIFICATE ii
ABSTRACT iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
LIST OF TABLES v
LIST OF FIGURES vi
LIST OF SYMBOLS, ABBREVATIONS vii
PAPER PUBLICATION DETAILS viii

Chapter 1 1
Chapter 2
 DECLARATION

We hereby certify that the work which is being presented in the Project entitled “ Study on Workability and

Compressive Strength of Concrete Blended with Steel Fibers ” by “Mir Moiz Ali, Arkham Jahangir, Khizer Malik

and S.A. Razzaq” in partial fulfillment of requirements for the award of degree of Bachelor of Civil

Engineering at ISL Engineering College, Bandlaguda, Hyderabad under Osmania University, Hyderabad is

our own work carried out during a period from January 2020 to April 2020 under the supervision of

“K.Nanchari”. The matter presented in this report has not been submitted by us in any other University /

Institute for the award of Bachelor of Engineering Degree.

Name, Hall Ticket Number & Signature of the Students :

(MIR MOIZ ALI – 160516732037)

(MOHAMMED ARKHAM JAHANGIR – 160516732033)

(MOHD.KHIZER MALIK- 160516732034)

(SYED ABDUL RAZZAQ - 160516732094)

This is to certify that the candidates signed above have carried out satisfactory work in project title “ Study
on Workability and Compressive Strength of Concrete Blended with Steel Fibers ” under my guidance.

Signature of the Project Guide

Name:K.NANCHARI
Designation: Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project titled “Study on Workability and Compressive Strength of Concrete Blended with
Steel Fibers” is the bonafide work carried out by MIR MOIZ ALI, MOHAMMED ARKHAM JAHANGIR,
MOHD.KHIZER MALIK & SYED ABDUL RAZZAQ students of Bachelor of Engineering (CIVIL) of
ISL Engineering College, Bandlaguda, Hyderabad affiliated to Osmania University, Hyderabad during the
academic year 2019-20, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Bachelor of
Engineering in Civil Engineering.

Signature of the Guide Signature of External

Signature of HoD Signature of Principal

160516732037 1605167320394 160516732033 160516732034

Place: HYDERABAD

Date:
 ABSTRACT

Concrete is one of the world most widely used construction material. However, since the early 1800's, it has been
known that concrete is weak in tension. Weak tensile strength combined with brittle behavior result in sudden tensile
failure without warning. This is obviously not desirable for any construction material. Thus, concrete requires some
form of tensile reinforcement to compensate its brittle behavior and improve its tensile strength and strain capacity to
be used in structural applications. Historically, steel has been used as the material of choice for tensile reinforcement
in concrete. Unlike conventional reinforcing bars, which are specifically designed and placed in the tensile zone of the
concrete member, fibers are thin, short and distributed randomly throughout the concrete member. Fibers are
commercially available and manufactured from steel, plastic, glass and other natural materials. Steel fibers can be
defined as discrete, short length of steel having ratio of its length to diameter (i.e. aspect ratio) in the range of 20 to
100 with any of the several cross-section, and that are sufficiently small to be easily and randomly dispersed in fresh
concrete mix using conventional mixing procedure. The random distribution results in a loss of efficiency as
compared to conventional rebars, but the closely spaced fibers improve toughness and tensile properties of concrete
and help to control cracking. In many situations it is prudent to combine fiber reinforcement with conventional steel
reinforcement to improve performance. The study attempts to evaluate the impact of addition of steel fibers on
conventional concrete mixes and their performance is analyzed. The experimental work has been carried out as
addition of steel fibers of aspect ratio 75-100 in 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% to volume of concrete and observes the
change in properties of the concrete.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The satisfaction that accomplishes the successful completion of any task would be incomplete without the mention
of the people who make it possible and whose constant guidance and encouragement crown all the efforts with
success.

It is our privilege and pleasure to express our profound sense of respect, gratitude and indebtedness
to our guide “K.Nanchari”, Department of Civil Engineering, ISL Engineering College, for her constant
guidance, inspiration, and constant encouragement throughout this project work.

We wish to express our deep gratitude to K. Nanchari Head of the Department, Department of
Civil Engineering, ISL Engineering College, Hyderabad for his cooperation and encouragement, in
addition to providing necessary facilities throughout the project work.

We sincerely extend our thanks to Dr. Mohammed Masood, Principal, ISL Engineering College
Hyderabad. We are privileged to express our sincere gratitude to our Honorable Chairman Mr. Salman
Ahmed for his personal support and encouragement.

We would like to thank all the staff and all my friends for their good wishes, their helping hand and
constructive criticism, which led the successful completion of this project.

We are immensely indebted to our parents, brother and sisters for their love and unshakable belief in
us and the understanding and ever-decreasing grudges for not spending time more often. We will now, since
the excuse is in the process of vanishing by being printed on these very pages.

.
 LIST OF TABLES

Sr. No. Name of Table Page Number

1.1 Physical properties of fibres 3
used as reinforcement in
concrete.
3.1 Specific gravity of materials 19
3.2 Mix proportions 19
4.2 Slump flow values 32
4.3 Compressive test for 28 days 34

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No. Description Page No.

1.1 Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete 2

1.2 Different type of steel fibers 4

1.3 The fracture process in uni-axial tension and the resulting stress-crack

opening relationship in SFRC. 5

1.4 Effect of fiber size on crack bridging 6

1.5 A typical stress-strain curve of steel fiber reinforced concrete and

plain concrete under uni-axial tension 8

1.6 Crimped Steel Fiber 9

1.7 Mixing Sequence for SFRC 11

3.1 Vicat’s Apparatus 21

3.2 Slump cone test 25

3.3 Compressive test on cube specimens 26

3.4 Mixing of Concrete 27

3.5 Casted specimen 28

3.6 Specimen in the curing tank cured for 28 days 28

 Paper Publication
Study on Workability and Compressive Strength of Concrete Blended with
Steel Fibers
K.Nanchari1, Mir Moiz Ali2, S A Razzaq3, Mohd Arkham Jahangir4, Khizer Malik5 1Assistant

Professor, Dept of Civil Engineering, ISL Engineering College, Hyderabad

2,3,4,5
B.E Students, Dept of Civil Engineering, ISL Engineering College, Hyderabad
---------------------------------------------------------------------***----------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - Concrete is one of the world most widely
used construction material. However, since the early
1800's, it has been known that concrete is weak in
tension. Weak tensile strength combined with brittle
behavior result in sudden tensile failure without
warning. This is obviously not desirable for any
construction material. Thus, concrete requires some
form of tensile reinforcement to compensate its brittle
behavior and improve its tensile strength and strain
capacity to be used in structural applications.
Historically, steel has been used as the material of
choice for tensile reinforcement in concrete. Unlike
conventional reinforcing bars, which are specifically
designed and placed in the tensile zone of the concrete
member, fibers are thin, short and distributed randomly
throughout the concrete member.
Fibers are commercially available and manufactured
from steel, plastic, glass and other natural materials.
Steel fibers can be defined as discrete, short length of
steel having ratio of its length to diameter (i.e. aspect
ratio) in the range of 20 to 100 with any of the several
cross-section, and that are sufficiently small to be easily
and randomly dispersed in fresh concrete mix using
conventional mixing procedure. The random
distribution results in a loss of efficiency as compared to
conventional rebar’s, but the closely spaced fibers
improve toughness and tensile properties of concrete
and help to control cracking. In many situations it is
prudent to combine fiber reinforcement with
conventional steel reinforcement to improve
performance.
This study attempts to evaluate the impact of addition
of steel fibers on conventional concrete mixes and their
performance is analyzed. The experimental work has
been carried out as addition of steel fibers of aspect
ratio 75-100 in 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% to volume
of concrete and observes the change in properties of
the concrete.
Key Words: Fibre reinforcement, Steel Fibre, Aspect
ratio
1. INTRODUCTION
The Usage of SFs in concrete was first suggested in
1910. However, the primary scientific research on fibre
reinforced concrete (FRC) in the United States was
done in 1963. SFRC is produced the usage of the
traditional hydraulic cements, first-class and coarse
aggregates, water, and SFs. SFs as discrete, short
lengths of metallic having thing ratio (ratio of lenth to
diameter) within the range of 20 to one hundred with
any of the numerous cross-section which are
sufficiently small to be without problems and randomly
dispersed in clean concrete mix the usage of
conventional blending procedures.

Fig -1: Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete
To enhance the workability and balance of SFRC, super
plasticizers (chemical admixtures) can also be brought
into the concrete mix.
The useful influence of Steel Fibers in concrete relies
upon on many factors inclusive of type, shape, length,
cross section, strength, fiber content, matrix strength,
bond strength, mix design, and mixing of concrete.
The addition of Steel Fibers inside the conventional
reinforced concrete (RC) individuals has
several benefits consisting of
1- Steel Fibers enhances the tensile strength of
the matrix, thereby improving the flexural
performance of the concrete.
2- The crack bridging mechanism of Steel Fibers
and their tendency to redistribute stresses
evenly throughout the matrix contribute to the
postcracking strength and restraining of the
cracks in the concrete.
3- Increase ductility of the concrete.
4- SFRC is extra durable and serviceable than
conventional reinforced concrete.
The only drawback of SFRC would be its reduced
workability and expanded stiffening of fresh concrete
because of the addition Steel fibers, thereby growing
the construction exertions and time because of the
excess vibration required to make the SFRC workable.
This hassle may be partially overcome with the usage of
newly developed high variety super plasticizers which
not best enhance the workability of SFRC however also
keep the plasticity of the mix for an extended time.
--
Fig -2: Load deflection curve
along with the traditional building materials.
Incorporation of Nano materials in concrete is a most
promising concept for developing concrete having
certain desirable properties. The extremely fine size of
the particles can alter the specific surface area and
hence the properties of concrete. Nano particles added
cement composite can increase the workability,
strength and durability characteristics.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
Experimental investigation were carried out O.Kayali et
al. on the effect of polypropylene and steel fibres on
high strength light weight aggregate concrete. Sintered
fly ash aggregates were used in the light weight
concrete. By adding polypropylene fibres at 0.56% by
volume of the concrete caused a 90% increase in the
indirect tensile strength and a 20% increase in the
modulus of rupture, whereas addition of steel fibres at
1.70% of volume of concrete increased the indirect
tensile strength by about 118% and 80% increase in
modulus of rupture. Finally there is a significant gain in
ductility when steel fibres are used.
Kaushik S.K., et al. carried out experimental
investigation on the mechanical properties of
reinforced concrete by adding 1.0% volume fraction of
25mm and 50 mm long crimped type flat steel fibres. It
was observed that short fibres acts as crack arrestors
and enhances the strength, where as long fibres
contributed to overall ductility. They concluded that
best performance was observed with mixed aspect
ratio of fibres. Song, Hwang and Shou carried out
experimental investigations to study the impact
resistance of steel fibre reinforced concrete using drop
weight test method. They used hooked end fibres with
0.55mm in diameter and 35mm long. They concluded
that steel fibrous concrete improved to various degrees
to first crack and failure strengths and residual impact
with standing capacity over the non-fibrous concrete.
2.1 Aim & Objectives
• To contribute towards the information data base of
the properties and performance of steel fiber
reinforced concrete and plain concrete with various
percentages of steel fibers have been analyzed in
extensive experiment.
• A study on these steel fibers will reveal the
improvement in the various properties of hardened
concrete.
• To maintain a good indoor environmental quality &
performance of the building all through.
• To conduct the compressive test and study
workability.
Avg compressive strength: 48.33 N/mm2 (28 days).
Aggregates: Locally available coarse and fine aggregate
were used.
Grade of concrete: M15 (1:2:4)
Water Cement ratio: 0.4 to 0.5
Temperature: 320C
Volume of fibers: 0-2%
Aspect ratio: 75-100
3.2 Method Adopted
1. Properties of various constituents of concrete viz,
Cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates were
determined, by carrying out various tests.
2. Grade M15 concrete was designed as per IS: 10262-
2009 which is used as reference mix.
3. Steel fibers were added in 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and
2%, by weight of Concrete.
4. Cube and cylinders was casted and curing was done.
5. Compressive strength test, Workability analysis was
done.
4. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME
Mix Proportions for M15 grade of Concrete
Cement = 312 kg/m3
Water = 161 liters for 1m3
Fine aggregate(M sand) = 624 kg/m3
Coarse aggregate 20mm =1248 kg/m3

3. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY The specimens of standard sizes and required shapes of
different mix proportions were casted for 7, 14, 28,
3.1 Materials used days and curing process is carried out after 24hrs from
casting time.
Cement:

43 Grade with no plasticizers

Fineness: 5.4% Water Cement Ratio = 0.45

28mm Harsh Mix
with no plasticizers
Consistency: 28.5% Water Cement Ratio = 0.5
48mm
with no plasticizers
Initial setting time: 46min
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45
64mm
with 0.5% plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45
80mm
with 1% plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45
134mm
with 1.5% plasticizers
 5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 5.1 Slump flow

All the tests have been performed in standard Slump cone values for concrete mixes are given in
procedures and the results and load values obtained table 5.1
were tabulated and calculated in following sections.
below

Table -5.1: Slump Flow values

Test Results of Slump Cone Test

M-15 Mix With 0% Steel Fibers 5.2 Compressive Strength

Sample Slump
Compressive strength tests were conducted on cured cube
specimen at 7 days and 28 days age using a compression
Water Cement Ratio = 0.4
66mm testing machine of 200 kN capacity. The cubes were fitted at
with no plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 center in compression testing machine and fixed to keep
96mm the cube in position. The load was then slowly applied to
with no plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.5 the tested cube until failure.
124mm
with no plasticizers
2
Compressive
M-15 Mix Withstrength (N/mm
0.5% Steel Fibers)
Water Cement
Concrete Ratio = days
Age Tested, 0.4 7 14
56mm
with no plasticizers
Specimen
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 0% Steel Fibers
88mm
with no plasticizers
Sample -1 16.35 20.44
Water Cement Ratio = 0.5
106mm
Sample
with no -2
plasticizers 17.96 21.64
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45
Sample -3 17.19156mm 21.22
with 0.5% plasticizers
Average Compressive Strength 17.17 21.10
M-15 Mix With 1% Steel Fibers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.40.5% Steel Fibers
Specimen 31mm
with no plasticizers
Sample
Water Cement -1 = 0.45
Ratio 17.99 22.48
65mm
with no plasticizers
Sample -2 20.12 24.24
Water Cement Ratio = 0.5
95mm
with no plasticizers
Sample -3 18.56 22.92
Water Cement
Average Ratio =Strength
Compressive 0.45
with 0.5% plasticizers 18.89135mm 23.21

Specimen
M-15 Mix With1% Steel
1.5% Fibers
Steel Fibers
Water Cement
SampleRatio
-1 = 0.4 18.90 23.63
Even mixing was not seen
with no plasticizers
Sample
Water Cement -2 = 0.45
Ratio 20.83 25.10
30mm Harsh Mix
with no plasticizers
Sample -3 19.77 24.40
Water Cement Ratio = 0.5
Average 63mm
withCompressive Strength
no plasticizers 19.83 24.38
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45
92mm
Specimen 1.5% Steel Fibers
with 0.5% plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45
124mm
with 1% plasticizers
M-15 Mix With 2% Steel Fibers

Water Cement Ratio = 0.4 Even mixing was not seen

Sample -1 19.79 24.73

Sample -2 21.91 26.40

Sample -3 21.14 26.10

Average Compressive Strength 20.95 25.74

Specimen 2% Steel Fibers

Sample -1 20.93 26.16

Sample -2 22.81 27.48

Sample -3 22.00 27.16

Average Compressive Strength 21.91 26.94

Table -5.2: Compressive Strength values

30

25

20

15
0%
0.50%
10 1.00%
1.50%
2.00%
5

0
7 Days 28 Days

0% 17.17 21.1
0.50% 18.89 23.21
1.00% 19.83 24.38
1.50% 20.95 25.74
2.00% 2191 % 26.94

Chart -5.2: Compressive Strength

6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The main objective of this study is to analyze the performance of steel fiber reinforced concrete and plain concrete
with various percentages of steel fibers. The following conclusions were obtained as a result and performance for
the tests conducted.

• A shortcoming of using fibers in concrete is reduction in workability.

• As Fiber content increases, workability decreases.
• This study is limited to volume of fibers 2% and aspect ratio l/d to 100 to avoid unworkable mixes 1,5% of
plasticizers were added to the mix.
• The conventional mix with 0% steel fibers achieves a compressive strength of 17.17 N/mm2 and 21.10
N/mm2 for 7 and 28 days of curing respectively.
• A concrete with 2% volume of fibers achieves a compressive strength of 21.91 N/mm2 and 26.94 N/mm2
for 7 and28 days of curing respectively.
• Considerable increase in compressive strength (27.67%) of steel fiber reinforced concrete at volume of fiber
2% water cement ratio 0.45 and 1.5% plasticizers was observed.
REFERENCES

[1] Abdul Ghaffar, Amit S. Chavhan, Dr.R.S.Tatwawadi," Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete", International Journal of
Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), Vol. 9, 2014.
[2] Ali Amin and Stephen J. Foster, "Shear strength of steel fibre reinforced concrete beams with stirrups",
Engineering Structures, Vol. 111, Pp. 323–332, 2016.
[3] A.M. Shende, A.M. Pande, M. Gulfam Pathan," Experimental Study on Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete for M-40
Grade", International Refereed Journal of Engineering and Science (IRJES), Vol. 1, Pp. 43-48, 2012.
[4] Amit Rana," Some Studies on Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete", Vol. 3, 2013.
[5] G. Murali, A. S. Santhi and G. Mohan Ganesh," Effect of Crimped and Hooked End Steel Fibres on the Impact
Resistance of Concrete", Journal of Applied Science and Engineering, Vol. 17, Pp. 259 - 266, 2014.
[6] Milind V. Mohod," Performance of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete", International Journal of Engineering and
Science, Vol. 1, Pp. 1-4, 2012.
[7] Patil Shweta and Rupali Kavilkar," Study of Flexural Strength in Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete", International
Journal of Recent Development in
Engineering and Technology, Vol.2, 2014
 BIOGRAPHY:

K.Nanchari, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,

ISLEC, Hyderabad, India

Mir Moiz Ali, Student, Department of Civil Engineering, ISLEC, Hyderabad, India

S A Razzaq, Student, Department of Civil Engineering, ISLEC, Hyderabad,

India
 Mohd Arkham Jahangir, Student,Department of Civil Engineering, ISLEC, Hyderabad, India

Khizer Malik, Student, Department of Civil Engineering, ISLEC,

Hyderabad, India

LIST OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1.Introduction 1-12
1.1 Background 1
1.2 Fiber Reinforced Concrete 2
1.3 Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete 3
1.3.1 Mechanical Properties 5
1.3.1.1 Steel Fiber Pull Out 6
1.3.1.2 Steel Fiber Bond Strength 7
1.3.1.3 Steel Fiber Corrosion 7
1.3.1.3 Stress-Strain Curve 7
 1.4 Steel Fiber 8
1.4.1 Primary Application 9
1.4.2 Benefits 9
1.4.3 Technical Information 9
1.4.4 Precaution/Limitations 9
1.4.5 Advantages and Disadvantages 10
1.13 Objectives of the Present Study 12
Chapter 2. Literature Review 13-18

Chapter 3. Methodology 19-28

3.1 Material Properties 19
3.2 Initial and Final Setting Time 20
3.2.1 Apparatus used 21
3.2.2 Procedure 21
3.2.3 Precautions 21
3.3 Slump Cone Test 23
3.3.1 Factors which influence the concrete slump test 23
3.3.2 Equipment required for concrete slump test 23
3.3.3 Sampling of material for slump test 24
3.3.4 Procedure 24
3.5.1 Mixing 26
3.3.5 Slump observation 24
3.5.2 Casting of Specimen 27
3.3.6 Results of concrete slump test 25
3.5.3 Curing of Specimen 28
3.4 Compressive testing 25
3.5.4 Testing of Specimen 28
Chapter 4. Results and Discussions 32-36
3.5 Preparation of test Specimen 26
4.1 General 32
4.2 Slump Test 32
4.3 Compressive strength 34
Chapter 5. Summary and Conclusions 37
5.1 Summary 37
5.2 Conclusions 37
References 38-39
 Chapter 1
Introduction

1.1 Background

The concept punching refers to a local failure of bi-axial shear characteristics in a flat slab, either
below a point load or next to a support. In order to prevent punching shear failure in connection
areas, large amount of reinforcement or large energy-absorbing ability are normally required.
Punching problem is a very important phenomenon that often represents the design impact on the
slabs, not just for the column-supported slab as bridge deck flat slab, but also for the bottom slabs
under columns. Such structures need to be heavily reinforced.

Reinforced concrete has been used since the middle of the 19th century, and is now, during the
present century, the most used building material. However, reinforced concrete by conventional steel
bars is complicated for both engineers and workers. Concrete has also predictable weaknesses, for
instance very low tensile strength and brittleness. Moreover, to reinforce the concrete by
conventional steel bars is an expensive and time-consuming procedure for both designers and
contractors. Elimination of re-bars from the design and construction process does not particularly
withstand the stress levels in a construction, although it will increase the tensile strength. Enhanced
productivity might be achieved by using non-tensioned re-bars as primary reinforcement and steel
fibres in concrete as secondary reinforcement.

The fibrous concrete has been around since the beginning of the 20th century and has had great
success in the shotcrete reinforced rock and industrial floors on ground but hardly any impact in
either beams or elevated slabs. This is the case despite the fact that a combination of fibrous concrete
and non-tensioned reinforcement in slabs has been shown to provide good resistance, where the
conventional reinforcement occupies bending moment and the fibres help to increase resistance for
punching.
One of the reasons that inhibits the utilization of fibres as reinforcement is the limitation of span
length when designing flat slabs without flexural reinforcement. Another reason is the absence of
standards directions for designing fibre reinforced concrete structures. In the manuals and literature,
there are various proposals for calculation formulas.

1.2 Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Fibre Reinforced Concrete, also known as FRC, is a type of concrete that contains fibrous
substances of different variety that increase its structural strength and cohesion. Given that concrete
is a quite brittle material with very good compressive strength but comparatively little tensile
strength; it makes it likely to crack under many conditions. By adding fibres, not only the strength
capacity and the structural integrity will increase, also the post-crack state will improve radically.
The main idea of using fibre reinforced concrete is to provide the entire concrete mass with fibres,
thereby creating a new building material with its own specific characteristics. In the event of failure,
a slab or any other fibre reinforced concrete structures, will only fall a few centimeters before
completely break which will prevent endangering anyone’s life.
 Figure 1.1: Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete

There are about 19 different types of material used as fibre reinforcement, see Table 1.1. Steel fibres
are the most used fibre of all, estimated up to 50 percent of total tonnage used, followed by
polypropylene fibres (or synthetic fibres) and glass fibres with 20 percent and 5 percent respectively.
The remaining 25 percent belongs to other type of fibres (Banthia, 2008). Current study investigates
only steel fibres as reinforced concrete.

Table 1.1: Physical properties of fibres used as reinforcement in concrete.

Fibre type Diameter Tensile strength Elastic modulus Ultimate elongation

[mm] [MPa] [GPa] [%]

Steel 5-12 200-3000 197-210 0.5-5

E glass 8-15 2000-4000 72 3.0-4.8

AR glass 8-20 1500-3700 80 2.5-3.6

Acrylic (PAN) 5-17 200-1000 14.6-19.6 7.5-50.0

Aramid 10-12 2000-3500 62-130 2.0-4.6

Carbon 7-18 800-4000 38-800 1.3-2.5

 Nylon 20-25 965 5.17 20.0

Polyester 8-10 280-1200 10-18 10.0-50.0

Polyethylene 25-1000 80-3000 5-150 2.9-100.0

Polypropylene 10-200 310-760 3.5-4.9 6.0-15.0

Polyvinyl acetate 3-8 800-3600 20-80 4.0-12.0

Cellulose (Wood) 15-125 300-2000 10-50 20.0

Coconut 100-400 120-200 19-25 10.0-25.0

Bamboo 50-400 50-350 33-40 -

Jute 100-200 250-350 25-32 1.5-1.9

Asbestos 0.02-25 200-1800 164 2.0-3.0

Wollastonite 25-40 2700-4100 303-530 -

1.3 Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

By definition, steel fibre concrete (SFRC) is a composite material made of hydraulic cement, cement
water and a dispersion of discontinues steel fibres that are nestled in the cement-matrix. The matrix,
that is to say the unreinforced concrete, can consist of fine and coarse aggregate, and sometimes of
silica fume and fly ash or any other prescription for the concrete mixture. Initially, the steel fibres
and the matrix are bonded and interacting homogenously. When increasing the load, the matrix starts
to crack and the fibres will carry the load. Thereafter, the mechanism depends merely on the steel
fibres form and shape. Some fibres may fracture and others may pull out, depending on anchorage
length, concrete strength and proprietary shape.

The market offers steel fibres in many sizes and shapes including mild steel and high tensile steel.
Also, stainless steel fibres are available. The steel itself is produced by a series of hot and cold
working methods. In some cases, the steel is chopped from drawn wires and in other cases its slit
from sheet or milled from ingots. Steel fibres have as well been produced from hot melt extract.
Steel fibres are normally divided into two categories, smooth and deformed. Cross-sectional shapes
include circular, rectangular, sickle shaped and mechanically deformed in various ways to improve
the bond strength. When it comes to longitudinal shape (Figure 1.2) there are straight, hooked,
crimped, curved, paddled, irregular, etc. In the mechanical point of view, the deformed steel fibres
are more efficient, thus using greater surface area to increase the cement-matrix bond and creating
better pull out resistance, (Hughes &Fattuhi, 1976). The straight fibres on the other hand are only
bond to the concrete by friction and chemical adhesion. The steel fibre lengths range from 10 to 65
mm with equivalent diameters between 0.5 and 1.2 mm.
Figure 1.2: Different type of steel fibres (Löfgren 2005 and Minelli 2005).
1.3.1 Mechanical Properties

The behaviour of the mechanical performance of the homogenous material is mainly

controlled by important matrix and steel fibre properties, such as volume percentage of
the steel fibres and steel fibre orientation.

Adding steel fibres in the matrix has a minor influence on, for instance the compressive
strength, the Poisson’s ratio, modulus of elasticity and porosity. Hence, before any crack
initiation, steel fibres have not a noticeable effect on the concrete behaviour. The main
benefit of using steel fibres is the deformation capacity and the crack control as they
prevent micro cracks from propagating, see Figure 1.3, Equally, by limiting the crack
width and crack growth, fibrous concrete help protecting concrete members from exterior
as well as harmful environment, such as nitrate and chloride.

357
 Figure 1.3: The fracture process in uni-axial tension and the resulting stress-crack

opening relationship in SFRC.

The steel fibres affect the concrete by absorbing the tension and distribute it effectively,
and bridging the cracks. The main theoretical benefits and emphasis of the inclusion of
steel fibres in hardened concrete relate to the post-cracking state, where the increase in
strength, failure strain and toughness of the composite is due to the steel fibres bridging

358
the cracks. While inclusion of steel fibres implies less design work and a reduction of
thickness in concrete structures subjected to flexure load.

The tensile strength of steel fibres varies, but is usually around 1200 MPa, which is about
threefold higher than that of the average reinforcement bar, but there is also high-strength
steel with tensile strength over 3000 MPa in the market, regularly as short steel fibres to
counteract small cracks.

1.3.1.1 Steel Fibre Pull-out

The fibre pull-out mechanism is essential when tensile strength is transmitted from the
steel fibres to the surrounding concrete. Therefore, in order to avoid brittle failure, the
pull-out length must be taken in cautious consideration. The average fibre pull-out length
is l/4 of the steel fibre length, (Hannant, 2003). This indicates that the longer the fibres
are the better failure resistance and better mechanical performance is obtained, see Figure
1.4. However, it should be realized that a larger volume of longer steel fibrescannot be
uniformly distributed. Workability and increased uniform distribution becomes a
problem. Deformed steel fibres increase the pull-out strength and subsequently the
mechanical properties of the composite, (Shah, 1981).

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Figure 1.4: Effect of fibre size on crack bridging (Betterman 1995).

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1.3.1.2 Steel Fibre Bond Strength

The bond strength, also in some sentences described as the slenderness ratio, is the
strength between steel fibre and matrix, and steel fibre adhesion area in relation to the
cross section are also important and are described for the steel fibres as the aspect ratio
L /D. L stands for the length of the steel fibre and D stands for the diameter of the steel
fibre. Since the failure of steel fibres and steel fibre pull-out depend on the fibre shape
and concrete strength, it is not possible to give a generalized formula that can be
representative in numerical calculations as‘bond strength’. Having a high aspect ratio
gives a positive effect on the post-peak behaviour of the steel fibres, so that the slope of
the declining stress-strain curve decreases.

1.3.1.3 Steel Fibre Corrosion

Corrosion of steel fibres can occur but is not a major problem. Granju&Balouch (2005)
have unexpectedly established that samples of fibre reinforced concrete exposed to one
year of salty marine condition were strengthened, according to the hypothesis that the
surface area of the fibres becomes unsmooth, and so the pull-out phenomenon becomes
more complicated. Moreover, the result indicates that only the fibres crossing the crack
within 2 mm to 3 mm zone at the external surfaces demonstrate corrosion and no
concrete spalling due to corrosion of the steel fibres was observed.

1.3.1.4 Stress-Strain Curve

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It has been proved by Ramakrishnan et al. (1981) that steel fibre reinforced concrete is
six-fold better in carrying impact loads than the plain concrete, but since this mechanism
is more difficult to analyse, it is easier to study steel fibres stress behaviour under direct
tension. For that reason, steel fibre reinforced concrete depends on the knowledge of the
stress–strain relationship. Typical stress–strain curves for steel fibre reinforced concrete
with different volume fraction of fibres and concrete types are illustrated in Figure 1.5.
The curve formation depends on several factors, such as the size of the specimen, method

of testing, type of concrete stiffness of the testing machine, gage length, and whether
single or multiple cracking occurs within the gage length. The first linear ascending part
of the curves defines the elastic modulus of the un-cracked composite (Ec) which cracks
at its normal cracking stress. The area under these curves defines the toughness of the
fibre concrete which is usually well in excess of the area under the first linear part.

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 Figure 1.5: A typical stress-strain curve of steel fibre reinforced concrete and plain

concrete under uni-axial tension (Choi et al. 2007).

1.4 Steel Fiber

CRIMPED STEEL FIBER are low carbon, cold drawn steel wire fibers designed to
provide concrete with temperature and shrinkage crack control, enhanced flexural
reinforcement, improved shear strength and increase the crack resistance of concrete.
Crimped Steel Fiber complies with ASTM C1116, Standard Specification for Fiber
Reinforced Concrete and Shotcrete and ASTM A820, Type I, Standard Specification for
Steel Fibers for Fiber Reinforced Concrete. These steel macro-fibers will also improve
impact, shatter, fatigue and abrasion resistance while increasing toughness of concrete.
Dosage rates will vary depending upon the reinforcing requirements and can range from
25 to 100 lbs/yd³ (15 to 60 kg/m³).

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 Figure 1.6: Steel Fiber

1.4.1Primary Application

 Commercial and industrial slabs on ground

 Bridge decks, overlays and pavements

 Precast concrete applications

 Shotcrete, tunnel linings and slope stabilization

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  Mass concrete and composite deck construction

1.4.2Benefits

 Increases impact, shatter and abrasion resistance of concrete

 Reduces segregation, plastic settlement, and shrinkage cracking of concrete

 Provides three-dimensional reinforcement against macro-cracking

 Increases overall durability, fatigue resistance and flexural toughness

 Reduction of in-place cost versus wire mesh for temperature / shrinkage crack
control

 Easily added to concrete mixture at any time prior to placement

1.4.3Technical information

Typical Engineering Data

Material…...................................................low carbon cold drawn steel wire

Deformation…................................................ continuously deformed circular segment

Typical Dosage Rates…................................. 25 – 100 lb/yd3(15 – 60 kg/m3)

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Available Lengths…...................................... 1 ½” (38 mm), 2” (50 mm)

Aspect Ratio…................................................ 34, 45,70

Tensile Strength….......................................... 140 – 180 ksi (966 – 1242 Mpa)

Appearance….................................................. bright, clean wire

1.4.4 Precautions/Limitation

 Use of fibers may cause an apparent loss in measured slump of concrete. This
may be offset with the use of a water reducing admixture if necessary.

 Fibers should never be added to a “zero-slump” concrete. Ensure a minimum

concrete slump of 3” (80 mm) prior to addition of any fiber material. Fibers may
also be added in loose form to aggregate charging devices.

1.4.5 Advantages and Disadvantages

 Generally the increase of ductility, toughness, strength, fatigue endurance,

deformation characteristics are the reasons for major saving in time, cost, and
materials when using the SFRC.
 Despite of SFRC excellence and superiority, drawbacks exist. Loose fibers at the
hardened surface might be blown onto aircraft engines or tyre, which leads to
unsafe operation. Injury to personnel being scraped or cut by an exposed fiber
while working on the concrete surface is also possible, however, no accident has
been reported regarding any of the above two scares [4]. Packard et al (12]
reported that, the residential street project was overlaid due to complaints from
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 some residents because children suffered skin abrasions from falls on the
pavements.
 Safety equipment is recommended to protect the personnel during construction
magnetic fields can be used to collect the loose fiber prior to opening to traffic
and finishing techniques can be applied to knock fibers down while surfacing.
 Another possible drawback, at aggressive exposure conditions, is that corrosion of
the surface could take place, eventually influencing the appearance of the surface.

1.4.6 Practical aspects

Steel fibers should be dispersed with care to avoid clumping and no homogeneity. Based
on previous experience, possible non-problematic sequences were given by the ACI
committee 544. The procedure is summarized in the diagram

Figure 1.7: Mixing Sequence for SFRC

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1.13 Aim & Objectives

 To contribute towards the information data base of the properties and

performance of steel fiber reinforced concrete and plain concrete with various
percentages of steel fibers have been analyzed in extensive experiment.
 A study on these steel fibers will reveal the improvement in the various
properties of hardened concrete.
 To maintain a good indoor environmental quality & performance of the building
all through.
 To conduct the compressive test and study workability.

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 Chapter-2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Overview

Here, a general literature review on steel fiber reinforced concrete is presented. The effect
of different fibers, different reinforcement ratio on steel fiber reinforced concrete and
different types of concrete are reported here.

Experimental investigation were carried out O.Kayali et al. on the effect of polypropylene
and steel fibres on high strength light weight aggregate concrete. Sintered fly ash
aggregates were used in the light weight concrete. By adding polypropylene fibres at
0.56% by volume of the concrete caused a 90% increase in the indirect tensile strength
and a 20% increase in the modulus of rupture, whereas addition of steel fibres at 1.70%
of volume of concrete increased the indirect tensile strength by about 118% and 80%
increase in modulus of rupture. Finally there is a significant gain in ductility when steel
fibres are used.

Kaushik S.K., et al. carried out experimental investigation on the mechanical properties
of reinforced concrete by adding 1.0% volume fraction of 25mm and 50 mm long
crimped type flat steel fibres. It was observed that short fibres acts as crack arrestors and
enhances the strength, where as long fibres contributed to overall ductility. They
concluded that best performance was observed with mixed aspect ratio of fibres.

369
Song, Hwang and Shou carried out experimental investigations to study the impact
resistance of steel fibre reinforced concrete using drop weight test method. They used
hooked end fibres with 0.55mm in diameter and 35mm long. They concluded that steel
fibrous concrete improved to various degrees to first crack and failure strengths and
residual impact with standing capacity over the non-fibrous concrete.

James Romualdi (1963), in at the Carnegie Institute of Technology that a clearer

understanding of the properties of SFRC emerged. Steel fibre reinforce concrete has been
a later extension of this understanding, with the first application being to stabilise the
rock slope of a tunnel portal, Idaho in 1972.

Ramakrishnan V., Wu G.Y., and Hosalli G. (1989), in their paper entitled ‘Flexural
behavior and toughness of fiber reinforced concrete’ have presented the results of an
extensive investigation to determine the behavior and performance characteristics of the
most commonly used fiber reinforced concretes (FRC) for potential airfield pavements
and overlay applications. A comparative evaluation of static flexural strength is presented
for concretes with and without four different types of fiber: hooked-end steel, straight
steel, corrugated steel and polypropylene. These fiber were tested in four different
quantities (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 percent by volume), and the same basic mix proportions
were used for all concretes. The test program included (a) fresh concrete properties,
including slump, ve-be time, inverted cone time, air content, unit weight and concrete
temperature and hardened concrete properties; (b) static flexural strength, including load
deflection curves, first crack strength and toughness, toughness indexes and post-crack
load drop; and (c) pulse velocity. In general, placing and finishing concretes with less
than 1 percent by volume for all fibers using laboratoryprepared specimens was not
difficult. However, the maximum quantity of hooked-end fibers that could be added
without causing balling was limited to 1 percent by volume. Corrugated steel fibers
(Types C) performed the best in fresh concrete; even at higher fiber contents (2 percent
by volume), there was no balling, bleeding, or segregation. Higher quantities (2 percent
by volume) of straight steel fibers caused balling and higher quantities of polypropylene
fibers (2 percent by volume) entrapped a considerable amount of air. The authors have
concluded that, compared with plain concrete, the addition of fibers increased the first
370
crack strength (15 percent to 90 percent), static flexural strength (15 percent to 129
percent), toughness index, post crack load-carrying capacity, and energy absorption
capacity. Comparing with an equal 1 percent by volume basis, the hooked-end steel fiber
contributed to the highest increase and the straight steel fiber provided the least (but
appreciable) increase in the above-mentioned properties.

Sustersic J., Mali E., and Urbancic S. (1991), in their paper entitled ‘Erosion-abrasion
resistance of steel fibre reinforced concrete’ have discussed the results of investigation on
the erosion-abrasion resistance according to CRD-C 63-80 test method and abrasion
resistance according to Bohme test method of steel fibre reinforced concrete specimens.

They have used nine mix proportions. The w/c ratios were varied from 0.30 to 0.65. The
volumetric percentage of hooked steel fibres were varied from 0.25 to 2.0 vol. percent at
the w/c of 0.30 and at the others the quantity of fibres was constant. In addition, mixes
without fibres were made at each w/c. The authors have concluded that adding steel
fibres into the concrete improves the resistance as measured by both test methods. The
erosion-abrasion resistance is improved by an increase of compressive strength and by an
increase in fibre content. It can be correlated to improvements of abrasion resistance from
the Bohme test method but only at constant w/c and different content of fibres.

Ghugal Y.M. (2003), ‘Studied Effects of Steel Fibers on Various Strengths of Concrete’.
They have presented the results of the experimental investigation of various strengths of
steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC). Variables considered in the research work are
various strengths and fiber volume fractions. Various strengths considered for
investigation are compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, bond
strength and shear strength. Concrete mix of M25 grade and crimped steel fibers with
aspect ratio 50 are used. The fiber volume fraction is varied from 0.5% to 4.5 % at an
interval of 0.5% by weight of cement. Standard test specimens for compressive strengths,
split tensile strength, flexural strength and push-off specimens for shear strength were

371
cast and water cured for 7 and 28 days. All the test specimens were tested according to
relevant Indian Standards and standard test procedures available in the literature
wherever applicable. All the strengths are found to be increasing continuously with
increase in fiber volume fraction. The experimental results obtained for various strengths
are modeled in terms of the material properties of matrix, fiber and compressive strength.
The mathematical expressions developed for various strengths are presented. The
inclusion of steel fiber in to the normal concrete showed the excellent strength
performance in this investigation compared to the normal concrete. The results predicted
by mathematically modeled expressions are in excellent agreement with experimental
results.

Murthy Dakshina N R et al (2005), in their paper entitled ‘Splitting tensile strength of

high volume fly ash concretes with and without steel fibres in different grades’ have
discussed about the effect of combination of fly ash and random steel fibres in improving
tensile strength of concrete in lower, medium and higher grades. They have studied M25,
M50 and M60 grades of concrete.

They have used steel fibres with aspect ratio of 75 and volume fraction of 1%. They have
made following comments on their studies. In lower grades ductility of concrete can be
increased by replacing the cement by fly ash upto 20%. At 40% replacement ductility can
be achieved by adding steel fibres of 1%. In medium grade the split tensile strength of
concrete has been increased upto 30% replacement. 1% addition of fibres can improve
tensile strength even at 40% replacement of cement by fly ash. There is an improvement
in ductile behavior of concrete when steel fibres are added to it. In higher grade concrete
ductility has been increased upto 10% replacement of cement by fly ash. At higher
percentage replacement the brittleness of concrete has been increased. With steel fibres
ductility can be improved upto 20% replacement. There is a drop in the split tensile
strength at 30% and 40% replacements. For all grades on concrete there is overall
improvement in the ductility when 1% fibres are added. Ganeshan N et al (2007), in their
entitled ‘Steel fibre reinforced high performance concrete for seismic resistant structure’
have attempted to carry out large scale investigations on SERHPC structural elements
like columns, beams and beam column joints. In this paper they have presented
372
consolidated details of the investigations. They have used crimped steel fibres in FRC.
Also they have considered 10% replacement of cement by silica fume and 20% by fly
ash. Regarding compressive behavior the authors have given following findings.
1)SFRHPC can be obtained using conventional constituents of concrete and fibres, with
due care in the selection of ingredients and proportioning of the mix. 2)An increase in the
volumetric ratio of transverse reinforcement increases the ultimate strength of HPC and
SFRHPC. However the percentage of increase is higher for SFRHPC specimens than for
HPC. 3)As the confinement increases strain at peak load increases. Addition of steel
fibres improved this peak strain further. 4)The addition of short discrete randomly
oriented steel fibres improves the dimensional stability of the structure to a great extent.
5)This investigation indicates that the combined effect of confinement in the form of
square/rectangular/circular hoops and randomly oriented steel fibres enhances the
strength and ductility of compression members such as columns to a great extent and this
is the major requirement for a seismic resistant structure.

Ghugal Y.M., Nandanwar & Bansode C.V. (2010), Studied ‘Effect of different sizes of
aggregate on steel fiber reinforced concrete’. They have found by using short and
randomly distributed fiber in concrete arrests the propagating of micro cracks and results
in better strength of concrete. He considers the variables as different sizes of aggregates.
Concrete mix design for M20 grade is carried out with giber. Beams of size 500x100x100
mm were cast for flexural strength. In this test beam break into two parts and broken
pieces after test were used for compressive strength and prism split tensile strength. The
maximum flexural strength, compressive strength, split tensile strength in case of M20
grade concrete is found to be maximum at 1 % steel fiber.

Gediminas Marciukaitis, Remigijus Salna, Bronius Jonaitis (2011), Studied ‘A model for
strength and strain analysis of steel fiber reinforced concrete’. They have to developed

373
the proposes a model for strength and stain analysis of steel fiber reinforced concrete
(SFRC). The model is based on general principles for creating and modeling structural
composites and on reinforced concrete code. Differently from other examples, the elastic
and plastic properties of the components (concrete and steel) of the introduced model are
directly taken into account. The model gives an opportunity to determine tension and
compression strength, the elasticity modulus of fiber concrete and the main parameters of
its elasticity and plasticity. A good agreement between the obtained results and those of
experiments performed by other investigators was confirmed. Differences between the
ratios of theoretical and experimental values are insignificant and vary within the limits
of 1.06–1.10. This model may be used for the analysis of reinforced concrete members
reinforced by steel fibers (SFRC) in a dispersible way assuming stress distribution
diagrams.

Nitin Kumar et al (2015) ,, presented the use of steel fibers as reinforcement material
with concrete. In this study, the mixing of various materials weather chemicals natural or
official for improving the strength and durability of parent substance. Critical
investigation for M 40 grade of concrete having mix proportion 1:4:3 with water cement
ratio 0.35 to study the compressive strength flexural strength, split tensile strength of
steel fibers reinforced concrete containing fibers of 0%, 1%, 2% and 3% volume fraction
of hooks the result shown that steel fiber reinforced concrete increase strength toughness
ductility and flexural strength of concrete.

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 Chapter-3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Material Properties:

Materials used

Cement: 43 Grade

Fineness: 5.4%

Consistency: 28.5%

Initial setting time: 46min

Avg compressive strength: 48.33 N/mm2 (28 days).

Aggregates: Locally available coarse and fine aggregate were used.

Grade of concrete: M15 (1:2:4)

Water Cement ratio: 0.4 to 0.5

Temperature: 320C

375
Volume of fibers: 0-2%

Aspect ratio: 75-100

3.1.1 Method Adopted

1. Properties of various constituents of concrete viz,

Cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates were determined, by carrying out various
tests.

2. Grade M15 concrete was designed as per IS: 10262-2009 which is used as reference
mix.

3. Steel fibers were added in 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%, by weight of Concrete.

4. Cube and cylinders was casted and curing was done.

5. Compressive strength test, Workability analysis was done.

3.1.2 EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME

Mix Proportions for M15 grade of Concrete

Cement = 312 kg/m3

Water = 161 liters for 1m3

Fine aggregate(M sand) = 624 kg/m3

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Coarse aggregate 20mm =1248 kg/m3

The specimens of standard sizes and required shapes of different mix proportions were
casted for 7, 14, 28, days and curing process is carried out after 24hrs from casting time.

Mix design was done to calculate the amount of materials used in M30 grade concrete.

The Mix design obtained was 1:1.71:1.85 with 0.45 as water content.

3.2 Initial Setting Time and Final Setting Time:

Initial Setting Time and Final Setting Time are one of the tests done on fresh concrete to
see how long the mix will be workable. It is very important to know the rate of setting
as that determines how long the mix will be workable.

Initial setting time is that time period between the time water is added to cement and time
at which 1 mm square section needle fails to penetrate the cement paste, placed in the
Vicat’s mould 5 mm to 7 mm from the bottom of the mould.

Final setting time is that time period between the time water is added to cement and
the time at which 1 mm needle makes an impression on the paste in the mould but 5
mm attachment does not make any impression.

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3.2.1 Apparatus Used:

Vicat’s Apparatus as per IS-5513, Balance, Measuring Cylinder, Stopwatch,

Enamel Tray, Glass Plate and Trovel.

Figure 3.1: Vicat’s Apparatus

3.2.2Procedure:

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(A)Test Block Preparation:

1. Before commencing setting time test, do the consistency test to obtain the
water required to give the paste normal consistency (P).

2. Take 400 g of cement and prepare a neat cement paste with 0.85P of water by weight
of cement.

3. Gauge time is kept between 3 to 5 minutes. Start the stop watch at the instant when the
water is added to the cement. Record this time (t1).

4. Fill the Vicat mould, resting on a glass plate, with the cement paste gauged as above.
Fill the mould completely and smooth off the surface of the paste making it level with
the top of the mould. The cement block thus prepared is called test block.

(B)Initial Setting Time:

1. Place the test block confined in the mould and resting on the non-porous plate, under
the rod bearing the needle.

2. Lower the needle gently until it comes in contact with the surface of test block and
quick release, allowing it to penetrate into the test block.

3. In the beginning the needle completely pierces the test block. Repeat this procedure
i.e. quickly releasing the needle after every 2 minutes till the needle fails to pierce the
block for about 5 mm measured from the bottom of the mould. Note this time (t2).

(C)Final Setting Time:

379
1. For determining the final setting time, replace the needle of the Vicat’s apparatus by
the needle with an annular attachment.

2. The cement is considered finally set when upon applying the final setting needle gently
to the surface of the test block; the needle makes an impression thereon, while the
attachment fails to do so. Record this time (t3).

Calculation:

Initial setting time=t2-t1

Final setting time=t3-t1,

Where,

t1=Time at which water is first added to cement

t2=Time when needle fails to penetrate 5 mm to 7 mm from bottom of the mould

t3=Time when the needle makes an impression but the attachment fails to do so.

3.2.3Precautions:

 Release the initial and final setting time needles gently.

 The experiment should be performed away from vibration and other disturbances.

 Needle should be cleaned every time it is used.

 Position of the mould should be shifted slightly after each penetration to avoid
penetration at the same place.

 Test should be performed at the specified environmental conditions.

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3.3 Slump Cone Test:

The slump test is the most simple workability test for concrete, involves low cost and
provides immediate results. Due to this fact, it has been widely used for workability tests
since 1922. The slump is carried out as per procedures mentioned in ASTM C143 in the

United States, IS: 1199 – 1959 in India and EN 12350-2 in Europe.

Generally concrete slump value is used to find the workability, which indicates
water-cement ratio, but there are various factors including properties of materials,
mixing methods, dosage, admixtures etc. also affect the concrete slump value.

3.3.1 Factors which Influence the Concrete Slump Test:

1. Material properties like chemistry, fineness, particle size distribution, moisture

content and temperature of cementitious materials. Size, texture, combined
grading, cleanliness and moisture content of the aggregates,

2. Chemical admixtures dosage, type, combination, interaction, sequence of addition

and its effectiveness,

3. Air content of concrete,

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4. Concrete batching, mixing and transporting methods and equipment,

5. Sampling of concrete, slump-testing technique and the condition of test equipment,

6. The amount of free water in the concrete, and

7. Time since mixing of concrete at the time of testing.

3.3.2 Equipments Required for Concrete Slump Test:

Mould for slump test, non porous base plate, measuring scale, temping rod. The mould
for the test is in the form of the frustum of a cone having height 30 cm, bottom diameter
20 cm and top diameter 10 cm. The tamping rod is of steel 16 mm diameter and 60cm
long and rounded at one end.

3.3.3 Sampling of Materials for Slump Test:

A concrete mix (of our optimized mix) by weight with suitable water/ cement ratio is
prepaid in the laboratory similar to that explained in 5.9 and required for casting 6
cubes after conducting Slump test.

3.3.4 Procedure:

382
[1.] Clean the internal surface of the mould and apply oil.

[2.] Place the mould on a smooth horizontal non- porous base plate.

[3.] Fill the mould with the prepared concrete mix in 4 approximately equal layers.

[4.] Tamp each layer with 25 strokes of the rounded end of the tamping rod in a uniform
manner over the cross section of the mould. For the subsequent layers, the tamping
should penetrate into the underlying layer.

[5.] Remove the excess concrete and level the surface with a trowel.

[6.] Clean away the mortar or water leaked out between the mould and the base plate.

[7.] Raise the mould from the concrete immediately and slowly in vertical direction.

[8.] Measure the slump as the difference between the height of the mould and that of
height point of the specimen being tested.

3.3.5 Slump Value Observation:

The slump (Vertical settlement) measured shall be recorded in terms of millimeters

of subsidence of the specimen during the test

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3.3.6 Result of Concrete Slump Test:

Slump for the given sample = 8 mm When the slump test is carried out, following are
the shape of the concrete slump that can be observed:

 True Slump – True slump is the only slump that can be measured in the test. The
measurement is taken between the top of the cone and the top of the concrete after
the cone has been removed.

 Zero Slump – Zero slump is the indication of very low water-cement ratio, which
results in dry mixes. This type of concrete is generally used for road construction.

 Collapsed Slump – This is an indication that the water-cement ratio is too high,
i.e. concrete mix is too wet or it is a high workability mix, for which a slump
test is not appropriate.

 Shear Slump – The shear slump indicates that the result is incomplete,
and concrete to be retested.

Figure 3.2: Slump cone test

3.4 Compressive Strength:

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 Figure 3.3: Compressive test on cube specimens

Compressive strength tests were conducted on cured cube specimen at 28 days age using
a compression testing machine of 200 kN capacity. The cubes were fitted at center in
compression testing machine and fixed to keep the cube in position. The load was then
slowly applied to the tested cube until failure. The maximum load applied to the
specimen was then recorded and the appearance of the concrete for any unusual features
in the type of failure was noted. Average of three values was taken as the representatives
of the compressive strength of the sample as noted. Results are shown in above Table 4.1.

3.5 Preparation of Test Specimen:

The preparation of test specimen can be broadly be executed in three stages. They are
mixing, casting and curing.
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 3.5.1 Mixing:

Mixing was done as follows:

Figure 3.4: Mixing of Concrete

 Firstly, the ground was sprayed with water to remove any residual materials
and for the absorption water. Then the remaining water was thrown away.

 Then the dry materials i.e. coarse aggregate, graded fine aggregate, cement, were
added and mixed for 2-3 minutes.

 Then fibers are added. (Only for the specimen with fibers).

 Then our required water for sufficient workability is added and is mixed well for
4-5 minutes to see if there will be a loss in workability.

This is how the mixing was done.

3.5.2 Casting of Specimen:

386
A total of 30 cube specimens with same dimensions were casted. All slabs have same
15cm*15cm*15cm size. The concrete used in the specimens consisted of ordinary
Portland cement, natural sand and crushed stone aggregate with maximum size 20 mm.
The water cement ratio for concrete was 0.4, 0.45 and 0.5. Fiber volume of individual
slabs was varied.

Casting is done in iron moulds for 150mm cubes. In this stage proper compaction is very
important. To attain proper compaction, fill about one third of the mould with concrete
then compact using tamping rod, then fill the rest of the mould and re compact to remove
air voids.

3.5.3 Curing of Specimen:

The specimens has been cured in curing tank for about 28 days and tested. All slabs were
cast and cured under similar conditions and tested after 28 days.

387
 Figure 3.6: Specimen in the curing tank cured for 28 days

3.7.4 Testing of Specimen:

Testing was done for initial setting time, final setting time, slump cone and for
compressive strength on hardened concrete.

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 CHAPTER-4
RESULTS AND
DISCUSSIONS

4.1 General:

This section can be classified into two categories:

i. The first section is about the Slump which is done to study the workability of
concrete and compare the conventional concrete workability with steel fiber
reinforced concrete workability.
ii. The Second section is about the Compressive test which is done to study the
compressive strength i.e; fck behavior due to presence of fiber.

4.2 Slump flow

Slump cone values for concrete mixes are given in table below

Test Results of Slump Cone Test

M-15 Mix With 0% Steel Fibers
Sample Slump
Water Cement Ratio = 0.4 with no plasticizers 66mm
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with no
96mm
plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.5 with no plasticizers 124mm
M-15 Mix With 0.5% Steel Fibers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.4 with no plasticizers 56mm
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with no
88mm
plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.5 with no plasticizers 106mm
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with 0.5%
156mm
plasticizers

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 M-15 Mix With 1% Steel Fibers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.4 with no plasticizers 31mm
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with no
65mm
plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.5 with no plasticizers 95mm
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with 0.5%
135mm
plasticizers

M-15 Mix With 1.5% Steel Fibers

Water Cement Ratio = 0.4 with no plasticizers Even mixing was not seen
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with no
30mm Harsh Mix
plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.5 with no plasticizers 63mm
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with 0.5%
92mm
plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with 1%
124mm
plasticizers
M-15 Mix With 2% Steel Fibers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.4 with no plasticizers Even mixing was not seen
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with no
28mm Harsh Mix
plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.5 with no plasticizers 48mm
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with 0.5%
64mm
plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with 1%
80mm
plasticizers
Water Cement Ratio = 0.45 with 1.5%
134mm
plasticizers

Table -4.2: Slump Flow values

4.3Compressive Strength

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Compressive strength tests were conducted on cured cube specimen at 7 days and 28 days age
using a compression testing machine of 200 kN capacity. The cubes were fitted at center in
compression testing machine and fixed to keep the cube in position. The load was then slowly
applied to the tested cube until failure.

Compressive strength (N/mm2)

Concrete Age Tested, days 7 14
Specimen 0% Steel Fibers
Sample -1 16.35 20.44
Sample -2 17.96 21.64
Sample -3 17.19 21.22
Average Compressive Strength 17.17 21.10
Specimen 0.5% Steel Fibers
Sample -1 17.99 22.48
Sample -2 20.12 24.24
Sample -3 18.56 22.92
Average Compressive Strength 18.89 23.21
Specimen 1% Steel Fibers
Sample -1 18.90 23.63
Sample -2 20.83 25.10
Sample -3 19.77 24.40
Average Compressive Strength 19.83 24.38
Specimen 1.5% Steel Fibers
Sample -1 19.79 24.73
Sample -2 21.91 26.40
Sample -3 21.14 26.10
Average Compressive Strength 20.95 25.74
Specimen 2% Steel Fibers
Sample -1 20.93 26.16
Sample -2 22.81 27.48
Sample -3 22.00 27.16

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Average Compressive Strength 21.91 26.94

Table -4.3: Compressive Strength values

392
30

25

20

15

0%

10 0.50%
1.00%
1.50%
5
2.00%

0
7 Days 28 Days

Chart
-4.3: Compressive Strength

393
394
 CHAPTER-5
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Summary
There is a need for alternative construction material to give strength to the concrete and
increase its load bearing capacity. Hence, we are adding steel fibers in the concrete mix
to increase impact, shatter and abrasion resistance of concrete and reduces segregation,
plastic settlement, and shrinkage cracking of concrete. One of the main drawbacks of
concrete is the lack of tension. Here, we have seen the effect of steel fibers in concrete
and have seen how fibers enhance the strength at various dosages.

5.2 Conclusions
The main objective of this study is to analyze the performance of steel fiber reinforced
concrete and plain concrete with various percentages of steel fibers. The following
conclusions were obtained as a result and performance for the tests conducted.

 A shortcoming of using fibers in concrete is reduction in workability.

 As Fiber content increases, workability decreases.
 This study is limited to volume of fibers 2% and aspect ratio l/d to 100 to avoid
unworkable mixes 1,5% of plasticizers were added to the mix.
 The conventional mix with 0% steel fibers achieves a compressive strength of
17.17 N/mm2 and 21.10 N/mm2 for 7 and 28 days of curing respectively.
 A concrete with 2% volume of fibers achieves a compressive strength of 21.91
N/mm2 and 26.94 N/mm2 for 7 and28 days of curing respectively.
 Considerable increase in compressive strength (27.67%) of steel fiber reinforced
concrete at volume of fiber 2% water cement ratio 0.45 and 1.5% plasticizers was
observed.
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