Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450

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Construction and Building Materials

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Experimental, statistical and simulation analysis on impact of micro

steel – Fibres in reinforced SCC containing admixtures
V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh ⇑
School of Civil & Chemical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Self-compacting concrete is one of the special concretes that flow in its own weight, which is used in the
Received 10 February 2019 densely reinforced concrete structures. This concrete requires higher binder content. Higher cement con-
Received in revised form 3 February 2020 tent leads to uneconomical design, higher heat of hydration, higher shrinkage, etc. These factors can be
Accepted 13 February 2020
counteracted by addition of mineral admixtures. Hence, Fly ash (30%) and micro silica fume (10%) are
mineral admixtures replaced with cement. Concrete is having a poor flexural properties; this can be
enhanced by using fibrous materials. Addition of steel fibres improves the strain softening property of
Keywords:
composite system. Hence hooked ended micro steel fibres are used in this study. In order, to study the
Self-compacting concrete
Micro steel fibres
fresh and mechanical properties of SCC, totally eight mix (M1 to M8) designs are developed using Nan
SEM analysis Su proposed method of mix design, with varying steel fibres (0.0%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%) and varying
Mechanical properties binder content. To evaluate the impact of steel fibres in reinforced concrete; four mixes (C-1 to C-4) of
Statistical analysis prism dimension 0.1 m
0.15 m
1 m were cast with optimized steel fibres and mineral admixtures
ABAQUS content and tested using standard UTM. The key properties such as deflection, strain softening and effect
Alignment of orienting the steel fibres along the direction of flow of concrete were studied. Later the experimental
work was virtually modeled and analyzed using ABAQUS. In rheological study, the mix containing min-
eral admixtures showed better fresh concrete properties. Addition of fibres reduced the flowing ability of
SCC. There is no significant change in compression strength due to addition of steel fibres. Flexural
strength increased by 63% by addition of 0.75% of steel fibres. The SEM analysis helped to study the
hydration process and morphological behaviors in concrete structures. The statistical analysis were car-
ried out and regression equations have been developed for the better understanding in the field of micro
steel fibre-reinforced self-compacting concrete containing admixtures. Stress-Strain behavior of mix C3
and C4 is more linear compared to C1 and C2, due to presence of micro steel fibres, which is arrested
the development of micro-cracks. C4 shows better strength compared to C3, showing steel fibres are
aligned align the direction of flow of concrete in between the reinforced structures. The analyzed theo-
retical model, developed used ABAQUS showed similar displacement results.
Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction concretes continues till today. The idea of composite materials

1.1. General
Fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete (FR-SSC) is the con-
cept of using fibrous materials in self-compacting concrete. As
the continuous evolution of composite materials, concrete is get-
ting better, by enhancing the physical and mechanical properties
of concrete. Using fibres in concrete is not new; it has been in exis-
tence from late 18th century. Research in new fiber-reinforced
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: athiyamaan.v2015@vit.ac.in (V. Athiyamaan), gmohanganesh@
vit.ac.in (G. Mohan Ganesh).
appeared in the year of 19500 s among which fibre reinforced con-
crete (FRC) has become one of the vital areas for researchers [1].
With the continuous evolvement of optimizing the concrete, con-
sidering the feasibility, strength, durability and performance,
self-compacting concrete was developed in the year 1988 [2]. It
was developed with the general prototype, without any fixed tar-
get mix design that satisfices the guidelines introduced by EFNARC
[3,4]. Later with the few design methods has been introduced and
optimized for designing the mix proportions for SCC [5,6]. In order
to utilize the rheological properties and to enhance the flexural
property, steel fibres added to self-compacting concrete. Which is
considered to be more effective compared to other fibrous materi-
als [7]. It was seen that the concrete flowability properties adapt

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118450
0950-0618/Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450
Fig. 1. Typical stress strain curves.
the bingham model [8]. Where, steel fibres and coarse aggregates
were isolated and evenly distributed in the medium of matrix (bin-
der, sand and water).
Generally SCC requires higher binder content and the tradi-
tional volume based mix proportioning further maximize the bin-
der content, which is uneconomical and leads to higher water/
binder ratio, heat of hydration, creep, shrinkage, etc. [9]. These fac-
tors can be over thrown by addition of mineral admixtures. Such as
fly ash, micro slica fume, metakaolin, rice ash dusk, bentonite,
GGBS, etc, [10], which are considered as waste by-products, creat-
ing hazards to environment. Using fly ash as a partial replacement
of cement reduces the water/binder ratio, because of its spherical
shape and also reduces the heat of hydration due to pozzolanic
reaction [11]. The delayed in early strength can be overcome by
the addition micro silica fume up to 5%-10%. These addition of
ternary binders, makes the concrete more compacted and well
packed [12]. One of the phenomenal properties observed in com-
posite concrete, normal reinforced and fibre reinforced concrete
is strain softening [13]. Strain softening is the linear fall in strength
of the material that occurs immediately post peak of plasticity
limit as shown in Fig. 1.
There were several studies carried out in examining mechanical
behavior of fibre reinforced concrete [14]. Only minimal research
has been done in analyzing the mechanical properties of fibre rein-
forced self-compacting concrete (FRSCC) containing admixtures
and only minimum study was carried out in analyzing the impact
of fibres in reinforced self-compacting concrete structure and the
study on alignment of fibres in reinforced structures [15]. The addi-
tion of steel fibres reduces the flowability of fresh SCC [16]. It was
seen that the steel fibres in SCC has a tendency to get oriented
along direction of concrete flow and perpendicular to the fracture
plane [17]. Steel fibres having length more than 30 mm has shown
reduction in rheological properties of SCC. Hence, hooked ended
micro steel fibres of aspect ratio (l/d) 60 were used in this study,
to have better filling ability throughout the reinforced structure.
In order to study real time application, the prisms were designed
with under reinforcement section and analyzed. To avoid shear
failure and to avoid the blockage of fibres during the free flow of
SCC singly reinforced prism is designed. The reinforcement design
is opted according to EN ISO 3766:2003 [18], C-shaped bend-up
bars were used and the extra wide line was restricted up to the
shear length of the prism, to study the contribution of micro steel
fibres during the failure. There were several studies has been car-
ried out in validating the experimental work by modeling the spec-
imen using theoretical value [19]. The study helps to assess the
stress distribution throughout the modeled specimen. Thus ABA-
QUA/CAE was used to develop the model to evaluate the specimen.
2. Research significance
To access the advantages of mineral admixtures in replacement
with cement, mix design was developed using Nan Su method of
mix design [6].
& To compare the mechanical properties of control mix concrete,
containing only cement as a binder with varying different
parameters such as
 Micro Steel fibers (0% and 0.75% by volume of concrete)
 Fly-ash content (30%)
 Micro silica fume (10%)
 To investigate the influence of micro steel fibres and to suggest
the optimized mix proportion containing micro steel fibres.
 To study the SEM image of various days of SCC containing
cement and mineral admixture.
 To develop the regression equation between variables like steel
fibres and admixtures Vs responses like mechanical properties
for the future study in this field.
 To study the strain softening property of FRSCC.
 To evaluate the impact of micro steel fibres in alignment and
strain softening of reinforced SCC.
 To develop the theoretical model using ABAQUS and to analysis
it.
2.1. State of Art- fibre reinforced – SCC
In Fibre reinforced concrete, addition of steel fibres gained more
popularity among other fibrous material due to its condescending
performance [20]. Usage of steel fibres prevents the inner crack
development, which is considered as a major cause for shear failure
of the concrete [21]. In many studies the percentage and distribu-
tion of the fibres affects the strength of the concrete. However, the
fibres are randomly directly added during the concrete mix [22].
Hence it was necessary to study the optimization of fibre content,
according to the requirement. The aspect ratio of steel fibres plays
the vital role in performance of the concrete [23]. Such as, tensile
strength, workability, filling ability, orientation of fibres, homo-
geneity of the concrete [24,25]. Hence, micro steel fibres of aspect
ratio 60 were used in the study. The NVC (normally vibrated con-
crete) and SCC varies only by its composition of materials [26]. Since
concrete is one of the vital materials used next to water, it is impor-
tant to reduce/replace the non-renewable resources used in con-
crete. In order to make the concrete more economical, sustainable
and durable, high volume of pozzolanic materials were added, this
eventually reduces the content of HRWRA because of it texture
(spherical shape) of the particle [27,28]. Fly ash based reinforced
concrete increases resistance against acid attack, the sulphate
attack, chloride penetration, reduces water absorption and porosity
compared to traditional OPC concrete [29]. Using steel fibres in SCC
has major advantage over Normally Vibrated Concrete (NVC), i.e.
since the density of steel fibres (7800 kg/m3) is higher among the
composite materials due to which steel fibres could get isolated to
the base of mould or the formwork during improper vibration in
NVC. This causes uneven scattering of fibres and affecting the homo-
geneity of the blend. Hence, by taking advantage of the better flow-
ing and passing ability (rheological properties) of SCC at fresh state
that fills the formwork without vibration, the micro steel fibres can
be added to the concrete matrix up to certain percentage to the total
volume of the concrete to produce Micro-Steel Fibre Reinforced
Self-Compacting Concrete (MS-FRSCC) with a maximum uniform
dispersion of fibres in a highly workable composite matrix. Hence
the steel fibres blended with SCC at proper ratio, optimizing the per-
formance of the concrete and such concrete is termed to be Micro
Steel-Fibre Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (MS-FRSCC).
3. Experimental program
3.1. Materials
Cement-OPC confirming to IS: 12269-1987 of 53 Grade was
used in this study [30], Fly ash–Fly ash used in this experimental
 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450 3

investigation acquired from Neyveli Lignite Corporation thermal Table 3

power plant, confirming to IS: 3812:2003 [31]. This plant is situ- Recommended limitation for fresh concrete properties of SCC.

ated in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, India. Fine aggregate–Fine aggregates
sieved with 2.36 mm sieve were used in this study and conforming
to IS: 383-1987. Course aggregate – The Coarse aggregate passed
through 12.5 mm sieve and retained in 10 mm sieve size, confirm-
ing to IS: 383-1987 is used in this study, Super Plasticizer-Master
Glenium SKY 8233 was the super plasticizer used in this study to
improve the workability and micro Steel fibers – aspect ratio (l/
d) of 60 was used in this study. These were the materials used
for preparing all the test mixtures and it is important to under-
stand their properties which are discussed in detail in previous
study [6].
3.2. Methodology
 For this study, M50 grade of concrete was designed as per pro-
posed method of mix design. The mix ID and material content
followed in this work is showed in Table 1.
 In totally four concrete mixtures were designed in order to com-
pare the varying proportions of 40% replacement with cement
and steel fibers in concrete.
 The M1 and M2 mixture are the conventional self-compacting
concrete, in which M1 contains only cement as a binder and
M2 contains replacement of fly ash (30%) and micro silica fume
(10%) with cement.
 In the M3, M4 and M5 mixtures, cement, fine aggregates and
coarse aggregate kept constant and the steel fibres percentages
are varied by 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75% respectively.
 The M6, M7 and M8 mixtures contain the same percentage of
coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, water content, the binder con-
tent replaced by 30% of fly ash and 10% of micro silica fume,
with varying steel fibres percentage of 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%.
3.3. Mixture proportions
The mix proportions arrived as per the optimized mix design
using proposed method of Nan Su method, given in Table 2. This
satisfies the properties of SCC as per the guidelines proposed by
EFNARC.
3.4. Mechanical properties
Concrete mixtures were made with the help of pan mixer. The
cement, fly ash, micro silica fume, water, fine aggregate, coarse
S. No Experiment Property Limitation
1. Slump Flow Flow ability and workability 500–800 mm
2. T500mm Flow ability 2–5 sec
3. V-funnel Flow through ability 6–12 sec
4. L-Box (H2/H1) Filling ability and Passing ability  0.8
5. J-Ring Resistance to segregation  600
Flow ability and Passing ability
aggregate, water, super plasticizer and steel fibers were taken in
proportions as arrived earlier for desired volume including wastage
and poured into the pan mixer. The mixers makes 25 to 30 revolu-
tions per minute and are made to run until the materials are mixed
together forming a uniform concrete. After mixing the concrete
were taken for conducting the fresh concrete properties such as
slump flow, L-Box, V-funnel, J-ring, T500, according to EFNARC
guidelines, the recommended boundaries is represented in Table 3.
The placing of concrete was done within 45 min, immediately
after conducting the freshen properties. The casting was done
without any machine vibrators or manual compaction. After cast-
ing, the moulds were kept at room temperature for 24 h. Then
the specimens were demoulded and kept in the curing tanks. All
the specimens were cured and tested to their respective testing
days. The specimens were tested for compressive strength, split-
ting tensile strength, and flexural behavior. All these tests were
conducted in order to find the mechanical properties of the con-
crete. The detailed work plan followed in this study is shown in
Table 4. The specimen samples of 7 days and 28 days were col-
lected for performing the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) ana-
lyzes. These images were used to study the morphological
compositional information of the concrete structure [32]. SEM
helps to study the evolution of concrete from liquid state to plastic
state. It helps to investigate the C-S-H gel formation and via EDX,
chemical composition can be studied [33]. It also helps to classify
the concrete according to the hydration process.
4. Results and discussion
4.1. Fresh concrete properties
Fresh concrete properties such as slump flow, L-Box, V-Funnel,
J-Ring and T500mm were conducted for mix M1, M3, M4 and M5 and
these results were compared with M2, M6, M7 and M8

Table 1
Replacement content and material proportions.

Mix ID Binder Content Variable content Percentage of steel fiber

by volume of concrete
Cement Fly Ash MSF Fine agg Kg/m3 Coarse agg Kg/m3 W/C SP
M1 100% 0% 0% 710 935 0.4 1.70% 0%
M2 60% 30% 10% 710 935 0.4 1.70% 0%
M3 100% 0% 0% 710 935 0.4 1.70% 0.25%
M4 100% 0% 0% 710 935 0.4 1.70% 0.50%
M5 100% 0% 0% 710 935 0.4 1.70% 0.75%
M6 60% 30% 10% 710 935 0.4 1.70% 0.25%
M7 60% 30% 10% 710 935 0.4 1.70% 0.50%
M8 60% 30% 10% 710 935 0.4 1.70% 0.75%

Table 2
Mix proportion as per Nan Su method [6].

Total Binder kg/m3 Fine Aggregate kg/m3 Coarse Aggregate kg/m3 Water kg/m3 HRWR kg/m3 S/A Packing Factor
525 935 710 215 8.925 0.56 1.10
4 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450

Table 4
The specimen and details.

Tests Compressive Strength Tensile Strength Flexural Behavior

Size of Specimens 100
100
100 mm 100 mm Ø x 200 mm Depth 100
100
500 mm
Days 7, 28, 56 7, 28, 56 7, 28, 56
No. of Specimens on each day 3 2 2
M1 9 Cubes 6 Cylinders 6 prism
M2 9 Cubes 6 Cylinders 6 prism
M3 9 Cubes 6 Cylinders 6 prism
M4 9 Cubes 6 Cylinders 6 prism
M5 9 Cubes 6 Cylinders 6 prism
M6 9 Cubes 6 Cylinders 6 prism
M7 9 Cubes 6 Cylinders 6 prism
M8 9 Cubes 6 Cylinders 6 prism
Total 72 Cubes 48 Cylinders 48 prism

respectively. The Figs. 2–5 shows the experimental works of fresh

concrete properties.
After mixing, the concrete was taken to conduct the rheological
properties as per EFNARC guidelines for M1, M3, M4 and M5 (con-
tains only cement as a binder content) which were compared with
M2, M6, M7 and M8 (contains mineral admixtures). The values are
calculated and given in Table 5 and Fig. 6 represents the bar chart
of slump flow and J-Ring.
The behaviors of the fresh concrete properties of SCC are

 When compared to M1, M2 (40% replacement of mineral

admixtures) flow is increased by 2.8% in slump, 1.98% in
J-Ring, 5.8% in L-Box and 16% in V-Funnel flow, this shows that
addition of mineral admixtures (30%-Fly ash and 10%-Micro

Fig. 4. L-Box.

Fig. 2. Slump flow set-up.

Fig. 5. Flowability of M2.

Silica Fume) influences the rheological properties which is due

to the finer materials, more surface area and gives more packing
effects.
 The same pattern followed between the mix containing only
cement as a binder and mix containing 40% of mineral
Fig. 3. J-Ring set-up. admixtures.
 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450 5

Table 5
Result of rheological properties.

Mix ID Slump mm J-Ring mm L-Box (H2/H1) V-Funnel Sec

M1(0%) 715 706 0.85 7
M2(0%) 735 720 0.9 6
M3(0.25%) 695 650 0.74 8
M4(0.50%) 687 500 0.61 9
M5(0.75%) 641 490 0.5 10
M6(0.25%) 705 650 0.77 7
M7(0.50%) 692 510 0.68 8
M8(0.75%) 660 490 0.55 9

Segregaon resistance, Flow and Filling ability (CaO)6 (Al2O3) (SO3)3xH2O making the concrete more brittle. Fur-
ther hydrolysis reaction is with water. The C3S (calcium tri silicate)
800
700 and C2S reacts with water forms C-S-H gel, anhydrate CH particles
properes mm

600 and lots of energy. This CH (Calcium hydroxide) particle stays idol
Rhelogical

500 throughout the hydration process. The C–H gel formations during
400 the hydration process are shown in Figs. 7–10. This process is
300
200 explained by simple chemical reaction is shown is Eqs. (1) and (2).
100
0
2Ca3 SiO5 þ 7H 2 O ! 3CaO:2SiO2 :4H 2 O þ 3CaðOH Þ2
M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8
þ energyðkJÞ ð1Þ
slump flow mm 715 735 695 687 641 705 692 660
J-Ring mm 706 720 650 500 490 650 510 490
2Ca2 SiO4 þ 5H 2 O ! 3CaO:2SiO2 :4H 2 O þ 3CaðOHÞ2
Fig. 6. Rheological properties. þ energy ð2Þ
After the hydration process nearly 20%–30% of CH (calcium
 When the mixes M3, M4 and M5 were compared with M1 there hydroxide) is left isolated in the concrete system. This by-
was 2.8%, 3.92% and 10% fall in flowability respectively, this product leads the concrete to poor strength development, causes
shows that addition of steel fibres affects (reduces) the rheolog- porosity, stays as a medium for chemical attacks [34,35].
ical property of the SCC. The replacement pozzolanas such as fly ash and micro-silica
 Similar results were found in the mix M6, M7 and M8. In both fume (30%–40%) that is rich in silica content reacts with trouble
the cases there was an abrupt fall in flow for mix M5 and M8, causing isolated CH forming a cementious material (CSH). The ini-
containing 0.75% of steel fibres tial stage and later CSH get formation can be seen in Figs. 8 and 9.
 Though the results were falling within the premises of the This reaction make the concrete highly durable, resist to chemical
EFNARC guidelines, it is vital to determine the optimal fibrous attacks, eco-friendly, reduces the heat of hydration and helps to
content. Though mixes M5 and M8 having 0.75% of micro steel develop high strength concrete [36]. This process is explained in
fibres shows flowability that falls within EFNARC guidelines, it Eq. (3)
shows poor filling and passing ability. This is considered as
CaðOHÞ2 þ H 4 SiO2 ! CaH 4 SiO4 :H 2 O ð3Þ
important criteria for reinforced concrete structures. Hence
0.5% sorted out to be the best mix ratio.
4.3. Hardened properties
4.2. SEM analysis
Composite matrix (concrete) poured in mould with zero exter-
SEM analyses were conducted for different days (7 days and nal compaction or vibration. After the curing period of 7, 28 and
28 days) on the samples containing OPC and OPC with mineral 56 days, three cubes, two prism and two cylinder specimens from
admixtures by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to each mixture were taken out from the curing tank and tested with
understand the exact morphological changes. Fig. 7 shows the ini- surface dried condition. The total casted specimens (Fig. 11a) along
tial stages of hydration process and the formation of ettringite with the testing machine; compression testing machine (Fig. 11b),

Fig. 7. 7 days image of M1.

6 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450

Fig. 8. 28 days of M1.

Fig. 9. 7 days image of M2.

Fig. 10. 28 days image of M2.

flexural testing machine (Fig. 11c) and split tensile test in compres- 4.3.1. Compression strength
sion testing machine (Fig. 11d) are shown in Fig. 11. The values
obtained were substituted in Eq. (4) to obtain compressive  The compression testing machine was used to find the ultimate
strength, Eq. (5) for flexural strength and Eq. (6) for split tensile. failure load and the compressive strength is calculated by sub-
The average strength of three tested concrete specimens is pre- stituting the load in Eq. (4).
sented in Table 6. For better comparison of compressive strength  When the total binder content is replaced with 30% of fly ash
and flexural strength, the values are merged in a single bar graph and 10% micro silica fume, there is a decrease in the compres-
shown in Fig. 12. sive strength of mixture M2, M6, M7 and M8 when compared
with M1, M3, M4 and M5 respectively during the early days
P
CompressiveStrength ¼ ð4Þ (7 days). This was due to the presence of fly ash. But it was
A
found that compressive strength of mixture M2, M6, M7 and
pl M8 were greater than that of mix M1, M3, M4 and M5 at 56th
Flexuralstrength ¼ 2
ð5Þ day of curing and showing the hydration process continuing,
bd
even after 28 days of curing.
2P  The incorporation of micro steel fibres did not show any signif-
Tensilestress ¼ ð6Þ icant changes in compressive strength. There was a slight
pDL
 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450 7

Fig. 11. Testing of specimens.

Table 6
Strength of Concrete at various ages.

Mix ID & Steel Fibres % Compressive Strength MPa Flexural Strength MPa Split Tensile Strength MPa
7th day 28th day 56th day 7th day 28th day 56th day 7th day 28th day 56th day
M1 (0%) 36.5 59 59 5.4 7 7.5 3.121 4.395 4.459
M2 (0%) 25.1 55 59.5 4.4 6.4 7.2 3.408 4.204 4.618
M3 (0.25%) 39 61 62 5.6 7.2 8 3.471 4.522 4.618
M4 (0.5%) 42 65 68 7 8.6 8.9 3.79 4.713 4.777
M5 (0.75%) 38 58 59 8.8 10 10.6 3.981 5.159 5.191
M6 (0.25%) 28 58 63 4.8 7 7.52 2.93 4.459 4.777
M7 (0.50%) 33 65 68 6.4 8.4 9.2 3.185 4.682 4.936
M8 (0.75%) 28 53 56 7.2 9.6 11.1 3.408 5 5.318

improvement in strength when M3 and M4 compared with M1.
M6 and M7 compared with M2 respectively.
 Addition of 0.25% micro steel fibres showed 8% and addition of
0.50% showed 16% of gaining in compression strength when
compared with mix containing 0% of steel fibres.
 There was a sudden fall in compression strength of 10% in M5
and M8 in all curing days when compared with M1 and M8. It
was seen that addition of steel fibres beyond 0.50% tends to
reduce the compressive strength of the concrete due to high
fibre percentage.
4.3.2. Flexural strength
The ultimate load values obtained from testing the beams and
substituting the values in Eq. (8). The calculated flexural strength
is presented in Table 6 and Fig. 12, for comparing the results.
 Addition of steel fibres improved the flexural behavior of the
concrete, preventing the concrete from brittle failure and
allowing the specimen to carry load even after the initial
crack.
 Like compression strength, the similar results have been
observed in flexural strength between M1 and M2, i.e, fall in ini-
tial age strength (7 day strength).
 There was a linear increase in strength with addition of micro
steel fibres up to 0.75%, when mix ID of M1 (0.00%) compared
with M3 (0.25%), M4 (0.50%) and M5 (0.75%). Same results were
found when mix ID M2 (0.00%) compared with M6 (0.25%), M7
(0.50%) and M8.
 The content of micro steel fibres is directly proportional to flex-
ural strength. Addition of 0.75% of steel fibres showed increase
in strength up to 63% when compared to M1 and M2.
4.3.3. Split tensile strength
The cylinders were tested placing the specimen horizontally in
compression testing machine. The ultimate load was noted along
8 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450

80 12
56
68 59 68
70 65 58 65
7th day
59 62 63 53 10 (com)
59.5 61
59 38 58
60 28th
Compressive strength MPa

55
day(com)

Flexural strength MPa

8
50 28 56th
42
33 day(com)
39
40 36.5 6 7th
28 day(flex)
25.1
30
28th
4
day(flex)
20
56th
2 day(flex)
10

0 0
M1(0%) M2(0%) M3(0.25%) M4(0.5%) M5(0.75%) M6(0.25%) M7(0.50% M8(0.75%)
Mix ID & Steel Fibres(%)

Fig. 12. Comparison between compression and flexural strength.

the failure in vertical axis. The obtained values are substituted in

4.4. Statistical analysis
Eq. (6), to get tensile strength represented in Fig. 13

It is the traditional way of analysis of variance and linear regres-

 Percentages of steel fibres were directly proportional to the split
sion equations to extract the perfect model for prediction of fore-
tensile strength of the concrete. The results were similar to that
cast behavior of the developed experimental model, for better
of flexural strength.
research purpose in future in this field. It is one of the effective
 There was no brittle failure found in concrete containing steel
model that helps to visually interact and analysis the obtained
fibres.
data. It is one of the mathematical approaches to review the data’s
 Replacement of mineral admixtures of 40% (M8) showed
quality and to categorize the specimens accordingly. In the study
improvement of 5% strength in 56 days of tensile strength.
compression strength and flexural strength with respective days
 When M8 is compared with M2, addition of steel fibres
has been considered as responses. Varying percentage content of
enhanced the tensile strength up to 20%.
0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75% had been considered as a variable.

6
5.191 5.318
5.159
4.777 4.936 5
5 4.618 4.777
4.459 4.618 4.713 4.682
4.522 4.459
4.395
4.204
3.981
Tensile strength MPa

4 3.79
3.408 3.471 3.408
3.121 3.185
2.93 7th day
3
28th day

2 56th day

0
M1 (0%) M2 (0%) M3 (0.25%) M4 (0.5%) M5 (0.75%) M6 (0.25%) M7 (0.50%) M8 (0.75%)
Mix ID & Steel Fibres(%)

Fig. 13. Tensile strength.

 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450 9

Specimens containing only cement content i.e. M1, M3, M4 and M5 7th day

Flexural strength at 7th,28th and 56th day

Linear fit of 7th day
had been considered as a one set of model and specimen contain- 2.6 28th day
ing mineral admixtures i.e. M2, M6, M7 and M8 had been consid- Linear fit of 28th day
56th day
ered as a second model. Accordingly regression equations were 2.4 Linear fit of 56th day

developed using linear fitting cure. The results of the analyses were
shown in Figs. 14–17. 2.2

2.0
compressive strength at 7th,28th and 56th day

64
62 1.8
60 7th day
Linear fit of 7th day 1.6
58
28th day
56 Linear fit of 28th day
54 56th day 1.4 Intercept
Value
Intercept Slope
Standard Err Value
Slope Statistics
Standard Err Adj. R-Squar

Linear fit of 56th day 7th day

28th day
1.025
1.575
0.20026
0.22707
2
2
0.85391
0.96825
0.59924
0.52128

52 Intercep Intercep Slope Slope Statistic

56t day 1.77333 0.31503 2.73333 1.3433 0.51143

Value Standar Value Standar Adj. R-S

1.2
50 7th day 35.26 0.83499 11.04 1.78527 0.92545
48 28th da 56.93 0.08972 8.92 0.19183 0.99861 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3
56th da 57.79 0.09721 8.36 0.20785 0.99815
46 % of steel fibres
44
42 Fig. 17. Flexural strength with respective to steel fibres.
40
38
4.4.1. Compression strength with respective to steel fibres (mix M1,
36
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 M3, M4 and M5)
% of steel fibres Linear fitting curve was developed between compression
strength of 7th day, 28th day and 56th day to varying percentage
Fig. 14. Compression strength with respective to steel fibres. of steel fibres (0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%). Here the data of
7 days, 28 days and 56 days compression strength was over lapped.
From Fig. 10 it is clearly seen that all points of compression
Flexural strength at 7th, 28th and 56th day

7th day strength fall within the fitting line, showing maximum relation
2.6 Linear fitting of 7th day
28th day between the variable (independent- steel fibres %) and responses
Linear fitting of 28th day
56th day (dependent – compression strength). Considering, y¼ mx þ c a
Linear fitting of 56th day
2.4
functioning model, describing, y-intercept = c and slope = m. r 2 is
the co-efficient value, when the output data and the observed pre-
2.2 dictor values are interpreted. i.e. Pearson correlation coefficient be-
tween the (predicted) (y) and modeled observed xdata values of
2.0 the dependent variable. Hence the best predicted responses and
estimated r2 values are shown in Eqs. (7)–(9).
1.8
For7thday; y ¼ 11:04x þ 35:26; r 2 ¼ 0:925 ð7Þ
Intercept Intercept Slope Slope Statistics
1.6 Value Standard E Value Standard E Adj. R-Squ

For28thdayy ¼ 8:92x þ 56:93; r 2 ¼ 0:99 ð8Þ

7th day 1.24 0.12124 1.16 0.25923 0.86378
28h day 1.65 0.10869 1.1 0.23238 0.87709
56th day 1.71 0.10374 1.14 0.22181 0.89442

1.4
For56thdayy ¼ 8:36x þ 57:79; r 2 ¼ 0:99 ð9Þ
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
% of steel fibres
4.4.2. Flexural strength with respective to steel fibres, (mix M1, M3, M4
Fig. 15. Flexural strength with respective to steel fibres. and M5)
Similarly, the regression equations are derived with respective
to responses (flexural strength of various days) (y) and the vari-
compressive strength at 7th,28th and 56th day

ablex. The correlation between y and x is almost significant, that

65 be verified through r2 value.
60
The best predicted responses and estimated r2 values are shown
in Eqs. (10)–(12),
55 7th day
Linear fitting for 7th day
28th day
For7thday; y ¼ 1:16x þ 1:24; r 2 ¼ 0:863 ð10Þ
50 Linear fitting for 28th day
56th day
45 Linear fitting for 56th day For28thdayy ¼ 1:1x þ 1:65; r 2 ¼ 0:877 ð11Þ
Intercept Intercept Slope Slope Statistics

40 7th day
28th day
Value
24.67
55.86
Standard E Value
1.07194
0.17944
14.28
6.64
Standard E Adj. R-Squ
2.2919
0.38367
0.92651
0.99005 For56thdayy ¼ 1:14x þ 1:71; r2 ¼ 0:894 ð12Þ
56th day 58.84 0.31694 8.76 0.67764 0.98226

35

30 4.4.3. Compression strength with respective to steel fibres (containing

admixtures) (M2, M6, M7 and M8)
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Linear regression equations had been developed between the
% of steel fibres compressive strength and flexural strength containing admixtures
vs percentage of micro steel fibres. The best predicted responses
Fig. 16. Compression strength with respective to steel fibres. and estimated r 2 values are shown in Eqs. (14)–(18)
10 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450

Regression equation on compression strength,
For7thday; y ¼ 14:28x þ 24:67; r ¼ 0:926
2
For28thdayy ¼ 6:64x þ 55:86; r2 ¼ 0:99
For56thdayy ¼ 8:76x þ 58:84; r2 ¼ 0:98
Regression equation on Flexural strength,
For7thday; y ¼ 2x þ 1:025; r 2 ¼ 0:599
For28thdayy ¼ 2x þ 1:575; r 2 ¼ 0:521
For56thdayy ¼ 2:73x þ 1:777; r2 ¼ 0:511
4.5. Experimental setup and text procedure
The experimental module consists of four identical reinforced
prism of span-depth ratio (6.6) was designed to study the influ-
ence of mineral admixture (40% replacement with cement), to
evaluate the impact of micro steel fibres in reinforced prism con-
taining admixtures and to assess the alignment of micro steel
ð13Þ fibres, while pouring the concrete in the prism mould. The prop-
erties and the details of the working model are explained in
ð14Þ Table 7. Control prism (C-1) consists of cement as binder content.
In Prism 2 (C-2) cement is partially replaced with fly ash (30%)
ð15Þ and micro silica fume (MSF) (10%). In prism 3 (C-3) along with
partial replacement of mineral admixtures (40%) 0.5% of micro
steel fibres (aspect ratio 60) is added to the total volume of prism.
ð16Þ Prism-4 (C-4) contains exact material content of C-3 but concrete
was poured in the unidirectional with slope of 1/7 as shown in
ð17Þ Fig. 14. All beams were having length of 1000 mm, width of
100 mm and the depth of 150 mm. The cover of 20 mm was pro-
ð18Þ vided [37]. Two 8 mm diameter Steel bars of Fe250 were used as
the bottom reinforcement. In order to use the area of bars effi-
ciently the reinforcement was adopted according to BS 8666:
2005 as shown in Fig. 18, the bottom bars was bend in C-shape
at the distance of 60 mm and 200 mm, and used as top reinforce-
ment. Stirrups (shear reinforcement) of diameter 6 mm were
placed at the spacing of 100 mm till 200 mm form both ends of
the prism, as show in Fig. 19.

Table 7
Property descriptions.

Prism ID Admixture (FA-30% & MSF-10%) Steel fibre % Compressive strength MPa Flexural strength MPa Flow direction
C-1 0 0 59 7 random
C-2 40% 0 55 6.4 random
C-3 40% 0.5% 65 8.4 random
CA-4 40% 0.5% 65 – uniform

Fig. 18. Bending stress and C-shape bent reinforcement.

Fig. 19. Reinforcement details of prism.

 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450 11

0:87f y Ast standard room temperature. As per the aim of the study, the
Xu ¼
0:36f ck b deflectometer was placed exactly at the mid span of the prism,
to determine the deflection at mid span and the stress–strain of
X u ;lim ¼ 0:53d each prism. The experimental set-up was clearly shown in
Fig. 20. The experiment was conducted at the force rate of 2kN/
where d is the diameter of the bar. min. The values of force (kN), deflection (mm) and cracks were
X u < X u;lim recorded during the test. The test was carried out up till the spec-
imen failed beyond its ultimate bearing capacity.
Hence the designed prism is a under reinforced section.
4.5.2. Result and discussion
4.5.1. Test set-up and procedure The collected values of load and deflection at the mid span of
Static flexural method for flexural performance of fiber- every prism are shown in Table 8. The stress and strain were calcu-
reinforced concrete tests were conducted for all four prism using lated by the formula load/area anddl=l respectively. As shown in
standard universal testing machine (UTM) as per ASTM standards Fig. 21 it was clearly seen that all specimens(C-1 to CA-4) were
[38,39]. The test was conducted after 28 days of curing under failed under bending; there was no shear failure occurred. This

Fig. 20. Experimental set-up.

Table 8
Recorded data of load and deflection of each prism.

C-1 C-2 C-3 CA-4

Load Def Stress strain Load Def Stress strain Load Def Stress strain Load Def Stress Strain
(kN) mm MPa (kN) mm MPa (kN) (mm) MPa (kN) (mm) MPa
1 0.4 0.67 0.02 1 0.04 0.667 0.002 1 0.02 0.667 0.001 1 0.04 0.667 0.002
2 0.9 1.33 0.045 2 0.12 1.334 0.006 2 0.04 1.334 0.002 2 0.1 1.334 0.005
3 1 2.00 0.05 3 0.2 2.001 0.01 3 0.1 2.001 0.005 3 0.16 2.001 0.008
4 1.04 2.67 0.052 4 0.26 2.668 0.013 4 0.13 2.668 0.0065 4 0.22 2.668 0.011
5 1.1 3.34 0.055 5 0.32 3.335 0.016 5 0.18 3.335 0.009 5 0.28 3.335 0.014
6 1.16 4.00 0.058 6 0.42 4.002 0.021 6 0.24 4.002 0.012 6 0.34 4.002 0.017
7 1.26 4.67 0.063 7 0.5 4.669 0.025 7 0.3 4.669 0.015 7 0.38 4.669 0.019
8 1.5 5.34 0.075 8 0.6 5.336 0.03 8 0.4 5.336 0.02 8 0.44 5.336 0.022
9 1.6 6.00 0.08 9 0.7 6.003 0.035 9 0.48 6.003 0.024 9 0.52 6.003 0.026
10 1.66 6.67 0.083 10 0.76 6.67 0.038 10 0.57 6.67 0.0285 10 0.58 6.67 0.029
11 1.76 7.34 0.088 11 0.9 7.337 0.045 11 0.66 7.337 0.033 11 0.64 7.337 0.032
12 1.9 8.00 0.095 12 1.04 8.004 0.052 12 0.82 8.004 0.041 12 0.72 8.004 0.036
13 2.08 8.67 0.104 13 1.24 8.671 0.062 13 1 8.671 0.05 13 0.86 8.671 0.043
14 2.24 9.32 0.112 14 1.48 9.338 0.074 14 1.16 9.338 0.058 14 1 9.338 0.05
15 2.5 10.01 0.125 15 1.7 10.005 0.085 15 1.4 10.005 0.07 15 1.12 10.005 0.056
16 2.76 10.67 0.138 16 1.9 10.672 0.095 16 1.64 10.672 0.082 16 1.24 10.672 0.062
17 3 11.34 0.15 17 2.1 11.339 0.105 17 1.9 11.339 0.095 17 1.26 11.339 0.063
18 3.3 12.01 0.165 18 2.4 12.006 0.12 18 2.1 12.006 0.105 18 1.5 12.006 0.075
19 3.5 12.67 0.175 19 2.6 12.673 0.13 19 2.34 12.673 0.117 19 1.72 12.673 0.086
20 3.7 13.34 0.185 20 2.9 13.34 0.145 20 2.56 13.34 0.128 20 1.98 13.34 0.099
21 4 14.01 0.2 21 3.16 14.007 0.158 21 2.78 14.007 0.139 21 2.34 14.007 0.117
22 4.2 14.67 0.21 22 3.44 14.674 0.172 22 3.1 14.674 0.155 22 2.48 14.674 0.124
23 4.4 15.34 0.22 23 4.8 15.341 0.24 23 3.34 15.341 0.167 23 2.82 15.341 0.141
24 4.7 16.01 0.235 23 5.2 15.341 0.26 24 3.6 16.008 0.18 24 3.18 16.008 0.159
25 5 16.68 0.25 23 5.4 15.341 0.27 25 3.8 16.675 0.19 26 3.56 17.342 0.178
25 5.2 16.68 0.26 23 5.6 15.341 0.28 26 4.2 17.342 0.21 27 3.76 18.009 0.188
25 5.4 16.68 0.27 23 5.8 15.341 0.29 27 4.8 18.009 0.24 28 3.9 18.676 0.195
25 5.6 16.67 0.28 23 6 15.341 0.3 28 5.5 18.676 0.275 29 4.2 19.343 0.21
26 5.6 17.34 0.28 24 6.8 16.008 0.34 29 6 19.343 0.3 30 4.8 20.01 0.24
27 6.4 18.01 0.32 25 7.4 16.675 0.37 29 6.4 19.343 0.32 31 5.2 20.677 0.26
27 7 18.01 0.35 25 8 16.675 0.4 29 6.8 19.343 0.34 31 5.6 20.677 0.28
27 7.6 18.01 0.38 25 9 16.675 0.45 29 7.2 19.343 0.36 31 6 20.677 0.3
27 8.4 18.01 0.42 25 10 16.675 0.5 29 8 19.343 0.4 31 7 20.677 0.35

The bold, italics were indicates the development of initial crack for each specimens.
12 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450
Fig. 21. Tested specimens.
was due to presence of shear reinforcement [40]. There was no fail-
ure due to crushing showing that the beams were under reinforced
structure; the failure occurs slowly which is also called as ductile
failure, where it satisfies the condition Mu < Mu,lim. The ultimate
load C-2 was lesser than C-1 this was due to the incomplete poz-
zolanic reaction. C-2 shows better results against stress. This was
due to the presence of finer particle, which increases the surface
area of the specimen. The same results were observed in split ten-
sile study. Addition of hooked ended micro steel fibres showed bet-
ter ultimate strength. C-3 showed increment in ultimate strength
of 2kN (7.41%) and 4kN (16%) when compared C-1 and C-2 respec-
tively. The occurring of initial crack was in linear pattern from C-1
to CA-4. The deflection and load bearing capacity was predomi-
nantly influenced by steel fibres. C-4 showed 24% increase in ulti-
mate strength compared to C-1. This due to presence of steel fibres
but there was increase in 6.9% of ultimate strength when compared
to C-3 shows that the fibres are tend to align in the unidirectional
Fig. 22. Load vs deflection.
Fig. 23. (a) Concrete beam (b) 8 mm Bar (c) Stirrups 6 mm.
along the direction of flow. The increase in strength was due to the
alignment of fibres along the axial direction of flow and normal to
the direction to load, whereas in C-3 the fibres are randomly
oriented.
The initial crack for all the specimens occurred only after the
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
load of 0.7 fck (5.53kN) and is shown in Fig. 22. Since, the dimen-
sion of all specimens were same, the stress–strain will also identi-
cal as load–deflection graph.
5. Simulation of 1 m reinforced beam
5.1. Modeling procedure
ABAQUS/CAE tool was used to develop the 3D finite element
mesh of concrete and incorporated rebars, to analysis the beam
under 3-point loading condition, like the beam tested early as
shown in Figs. 15 and 16. Totally two models were designed to
study the impact of micro steel fibres over the concrete beam
and reinforced bar. Initially, parts of the design were created, show
in Fig. 23. First a concrete beam of cross section 100mm
150mm
was created along X and Y axis then extruded along Z-axis about
1000 mm, next main bars of length 960 mm and stirrups of
60mm
110mm were created, with clear cover of 20 mm for
model-1. Steel fibres was created and embedded in model-2
5.2. Algorithm for simulation
The material properties were defined for concrete, rebars, micro
steel fibres and stirrups. It is important to define the physical prop-
erties of materials to get the accurate result. From the experimen-
tal study, references and IS standards, the material properties for
stimulation of the model was defined, as shown in Table 9.
Section was created for concrete M50, steel rebar, stirrups for
first model then micro steel fibres were added with the same spec-
ification for model 2. Later the created sections were assigned to
the respected parts and assembled together as shown in Fig. 24
(a) with the clear cover of 20 mm in all direction. The ultimate
 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450 13

Table 9
Physical properties.

Descriptions Reinforced Bar Micro steel fibres M50 concrete

Main Bar Stirrup
Dimension (mm) 960 mm (length) 60mm
110mm (width
depth) 30 mm (length) 1000 mm (Total Length of the
beam including clear cover)
Spacing (mm) 60 mm 100 mm unidirectional –
Diameter (mm) 8 mm 6 mm 0.5 mm 100mm
150mm
Modulus of Elasticity (MPa) 200,000 200,000 35,000
Yield Stress (MPa) 278 500 50
Density (kg/m3) 7800 7800 2400
Aspect Ratio (l/d) – 60 –
Cross sectional area (mm2) 50.24 28.27 0.20 15,000
Poission’s Ratio 0.3 0.3 0.2

Fig. 24. Assembled parts of reinforced beam.

failure; that was determined in experimental study, was described
with initial increment of 0.1. Then an embedded region of concrete
to steel was created under interaction section.
The datum plane was created along the principle plane to spec-
ify the load and boundary conditions. As shown in Fig. 16 the
boundary condition of pinned connection was given; assuming
U1 = U2 = U3 = 0. Then the ultimate failure load of 25kN was
defined exactly at the mid span of the beam to determine the dis-
placement at the mid span of the structure. Meshing was done for
all the parts that was created initially, with the approximate global
of 10, 5 and 5 for concrete beam, rebars and stirrups respectively as
shown in Fig. 19. Finally the job was created to analyse displace-
ment of the beam under ultimate failure load and pinned boundary
condition.
5.3. Visualization of output
The stressed regions of the model-1 and model-2 can be clearly
seen in Figs. 25 and 26. The highly stressed part was displayed in
red color and dark blue region shows the minimum exposure to
stress. From Fig. 20 it is seen that the provided stirrups prevented
the beam from shear failure that was tend to develop at the crack
at the angle of 45° from the support condition and it is indicated in
light green color. Fig. 25 clearly shows the influence of aligned micro
steel fibres in reducing the impact of load and distributing the load
evenly. The micro steel fibres in the concrete prevented the propaga-
tion of micro cracks that resulted in reduction of deflection.
The nodal point that was located exactly below the mid span
was picked up to determine the deflection over time for both the
developed model-1 and model-2. The impact of micro steel fibres
over deflection is shown in Fig. 26. The MSF not only enhances
the flexural strength but also reduced the development of strain.
From Fig. 27 it is clearly seen that over time and displacement
the model that contains steel fibres showed better performance
over the model without micro steel fibres. Model-2 showed nearly
8% improvement in displacement over model-2. This shows that
the micro steel fibre model plays eminent role in flexural proper-
ties of a concrete structure.

Fig. 25. Stress development in prism and reinforced bar.

14 V. Athiyamaan, G. Mohan Ganesh / Construction and Building Materials 246 (2020) 118450
Fig. 26. Stress development in prism, reinforced bar and micro steel fibres.
Fig. 27. Displacement of model-1 and model-2.
6. Conclusion
From the above results and discussion following conclusions
were made,
 The fresh and hardened properties of SCC containing micro steel
fibres and mineral admixtures assessed with their respective
control mixes.
 A combined use of mineral admixture (fly ash-30% & micro sil-
ica 10%) enhances the rheological properties by 7%.
 Increase in Micro Steel Fibres affects the flow, filling and passing
ability of Micro Steel Fibre Reinforced SCC (MS-FR-SCC) up to
6%.
 Addition of 0.50% (M4 and M7) of steel fibres showed the better
compressive strength when compared with other mixes (M1,
M2, M3, M5, M6 and M8). Also it (M4 and M7) showed better
rheological properties with compared with M5 and M8.
 Increase in micro steel fibres increases the flexural strength of
the concrete, up to 50%-60% and preventing concrete from brit-
tle failure.
 From the morphological behavior of concrete, the hydration
process continues of mix containing mineral admixtures even
after 28 days curing. This can be seen in strength gaining of
M2, M6, M7 and M8 at 56 days when compared with M1, M3,
M4 and M5.
 The statistical study was carried out and the regression equa-
tions were proposed. Even though the behavior of concrete
under loading is highly non-linear due to the heterogeneous
mix, each regression model was developed to predict either
compressive or flexural strength of Micro Steel fibre SCC only
by varying the fibre content (upto 0.75%).
 In the experiment study of 1 m beam, the beam with aligned
fibres (CA-4) showed better performance followed by the beam
with random distribution of fibres (C-3), control beam (C-1) and
the beam containing mineral admixtures (C-2); hence the order
of the flexural strength for 28 days varies like CA-4 > C-3 > C-
1 > C-2.
 In FEM modeling also similar behaviour was observed as in the
experimental study, i.e., Model-2 shows better results than
model-1. The performance of mixes through experimental
study and simulation through the developed models were
almost similar.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
V. Athiyamaan: Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing - origi-
nal draft. G. Mohan Ganesh: Supervision, Conceptualization.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared
to influence the work reported in this paper.
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