International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology E-ISSN 0976-3945

Research Paper
COMBINE EFFECT OF SILICA FUME AND STEEL FIBER ON
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES ON STANDARD GRADE OF
CONCRETE AND THEIR INTERRELATIONS
Dasari Venkateswara Reddy* Prashant Y.Pawade**
Address for Correspondence
*Research scholar, M.Tech student, **Associate Professor, Civil Engineering Department, G.H Raisoni college
of Engineering, Nagpur, 440016, M.S (India)
ABSTRACT
The present investigation carried out on concrete due to the effect of silica fume with and without steel fibers on Portland
Pozzolona cement. In this study we used concrete mixes with Silica Fume of 0%, 4%, 8%and 12%, with addition of crimped
steel fibers of diameter 0.5 mm Ø with a aspect ratio of 60, at various percentages as 0%, 0.5 %, 1.0 % and 1.5 % by the
volume of concrete on M35 grade of concrete. The effect of mineral admixture (silica fume) as cement replacement material
with and without steel fibers on mechanical properties were analyzed and compared with normal concrete. In comparison,
with normal concrete the replacement of 4%, 8% and12% cement by silica fume showed 6.26%, 15.84% and 11.45%
increase in compressive strength at 28 days of curing. The proposed model was found to have good accuracy in estimating
relationship at 28 days and 90 days Compressive strength with Flexural Strength of concrete.
KEYWORDS Portland Pozzolona Cement, Silica fume, Steel fiber, Compressive strength, Flexural strength.
1. INTRODUCTION tensile, compressive and flexure strengths increased
1.1 Silica Fume in Concrete: The American with silica fume incorporation but the optimum
concrete institute (ACI) defines silica fume as a replacement percentage is not constant because it
‘‘very fine noncrystalline silica produced in electric depends on the water–cementitious material (w/cm)
arc furnaces as a byproduct of production of ratio of the mix. Based on the results, a relationship
elemental silicon or alloys containing silicon’’. Silica between split tensile, compressive and flexure
fume is also known as micro silica, condensed silica strengths of silica fume concrete was developed using
fume, volatized silica or silica dust. It is usually a statistical methods.
grey colored powder, somewhat similar to Portland Effect of steel fiber on the mechanical properties of
cement or some fly ashes. It can exhibit both cement-based composites containing silica fume was
pozzolanic and cementitious properties. Silica fume done by Wei-Ting Lin, Ran Huang, Chin-Lai Lee,
has been recognized as a pozzolanic admixture that is and Hui-Mi Hsu [2]. They carried out to evaluate the
effective in enhancing the mechanical properties to a mechanical properties of cement-based composites.
great extent. Addition of silica fume to concrete Test variables included water to cementitious ratio,
improves the durability of concrete and also in dosage of silica fume and volume fraction of steel
protecting the embedded steel from corrosion. fiber. Compressive strength test, direct tensile
1.2 Steel Fiber in Concrete: Plain concrete strength test, splitting tensile strength test, abrasion
possesses a very low tensile strength, limited ductility resistance test and drop weight test were performed
and little resistance to cracking. Internal micro cracks and the results were analyzed statistically. According
are inherently present in the concrete and its poor to the results of this study, the designed direct tensile
tensile strength is due to the propagation of such testing method was a suitable method to estimate the
micro cracks, eventually leading to brittle fracture of tensile strength of fiber cement- based composites.
the concrete. It has been recognized that the addition Addition of fibers provided better performance for
of small, closely spaced and uniformly dispersed the cement-based composites, while silica fume in
fibers to the concrete would act as crack arrester and the composites would help obtaining uniform fiber
would substantially improve its Compressive and dispersion in the matrix and improve strength and the
flexural strength properties. This type of concrete is bonding between fiber and matrix resulting from
known as fiber reinforced concrete. extra dense calcium- silicate-hydrate gel. The
Fiber reinforced concrete can be defined as a combination of steel fibers and silica fume can
composite material consisting of mixtures of cement, greatly increase the mechanical properties of cement-
mortar or concrete and discontinuous, discrete, based composites. Besides, a multiple regression
uniformly dispersed suitable fibers. Continuous analysis was conducted to correlate compressive
meshes, woven fabrics and long wires or rods are not strength, direct tensile strength, abrasion coefficient
considered to be discrete fibers. and impact number with w/cm ratio, silica fume
1.3 Literature Review content and steel fiber content and a fairly agreement
The effects of silica fume on tensile, compressive and between test data and estimated values was found.
flexure strengths on high strength lightweight The effect of steel fibers on the mechanical properties
concrete was done by H. Katkhuda, B. Hanayneh and of high performance concrete was carried out by
N. Shatarat[1]. They carried out by replacing cement Shakir A.Salih Saeed K. Rejeb Khalid B. Najem [3].
with different percentages of silica fume at different They said the effect of steel fibers content and the
constant water-binder ratio keeping other mix design combined effect of rice husk ash (RHA) and high
variables constant. The silica fume was replaced by range water reducing agent (HRWRA) on the
0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% for a water-binder mechanical properties of the produced matrix. The
ratios ranging from 0.26 to 0.42. For all mixes, split experimental results showed the using steel fibers in
tensile, compressive and flexure strengths were High-performance concrete led to a considerable
determined at 28 days. The results showed that the improvement in mechanical properties of concrete.

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 International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology
The results exhibited that the addition of steel fibers 1.7% and carbon = 0.92%, are conforming to ASTM
to high performance concrete up to 1% with 6%
(HRWRA) and 8% (RHA) as a partial replacement
by weight of cement, increases the compressive
strength significantly. Also, the results showed that
the addition of 1.5% steel fibers with 6% (HRWRA)
and 8% (RHA) increases the splitting and flexural
strengths significant. At 28 days, the compressive,
splitting and flexural strengths were increased to
11.57%, 63.86%, and 32.93% more than High
performance concrete without steel fibers,
respectively.
“Influence of Silica fume in enhancement of
compressive strength, flexural strength of steel fibers investigation.Properties of crimped fibers are:
concrete and their relationship” was carried out by
Pawade Prashant.Y, Nagarnaik P.B and Pande
A.M[4],They investigated on concrete due to the
effect of silica fume with and without steel fibers on = 2.1 x 105 MPa.
Portland Pozzolona cement. In this study we used
concrete mixes with Silica Fume of 0%, 4%, 8%and
12% with addition of crimped steel fibers of two
diameters 0.5 mm Ø and 1.0 mm Ø with a constant
aspect ratio of 60, at various percentages as 0%, 0.5
%, 1.0 % and 1.5 % by the volume of concrete on
M30 grade of concrete. In comparison, with control
concrete the replacement of 4%,8%,12% and 16%
cement by silica fume showed 7.46%,
11.17%,11.91%and 9.83% increase in compressive
strength at 28 days of curing. The optimum combined
effect at 8% silica fume and 1.5% steel fiber with
normal concrete the maximum compressive strength
increase at 0.5 mm Ø and 1.0 mm Ø steel fiber at 28
days of curing were 15.38% and 18.69%, the
maximum flexural strength increase were 17.13%
and 24.02%.The combined effect of silica fume at
4% & 12% with steel fiber at 0.5%, 1.0% & 1.5% of
both diameters 0.5 mm Ø and 1.0 mm Ø at different
ages of curing are presented.
2. MATERIALS USED
2.1 Portland Pozzolona Cement: IS 1489(part
1):1991containing 28% fly ash. The properties of
cement tested were Fineness (90µ Sieve) = 6 %,
Normal consistency=32%, Initial & Final setting time
=124 minute & 256 minute and 28 days Compressive
strength=51.42 Mpa.
2.2 Silica Fume: Silica fume having fineness by
residue on 45 micron sieve = 0.7 %, specific gravity
= 2.27, Moisture Content =0.72% were used. The
chemical analysis of silica fume (Grade 920-D):
silicon dioxide = 86.7%, LOI at 975[degrees] C =
Table 4.1 Compressive strength of Silica fume concrete (with & without Steel fibers) in N/mm2.
S A) WITHOUT SILICA FUME & STEEL FIBERS (Normal Concrete)
NO Steel Silica 28 days 90 days
01 0.0 0.0 39.64 42.03
B) WITH SILICA FUME & STEEL FIBERS
Steel Fiber 4% Silica Fume
Dia.& Vf (%) 28 days 90 days
Length
02 0.0 42.12 44.86
03 0.5mm ø 0.5 42.88 44.98
04 & 1.0 43.92 45.68
05 30 mm 1.5 45.08 46.12
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C1240-1999 standards.
2.3 Fine aggregate: Locally available river sand
passing through 4.75 mm IS sieve, conforming to
grading zone-II of IS: 383-1970 was used. The
physical Properties of sand like Fineness Modulus,
Specific Gravity, water absorption, Bulk Density,
were 2.67, 2.58, 0.96% and 1534 Kg/ m3
2.4 Course aggregate: The impact value, finess
modulus and Crushing value of coarse aggregate is
11.92%, 6.87 and 18.97%
2.5 Steel Fiber: Crimped steel fibers conforming to
ASTM A820-2001 has been used in this
Length = 30 mm, diameter = 0.50 mm, with a
constant aspect ratio = 60, ultimate tensile strength, =
910 MPa to 1250 MPa. and Elastic modulus of steel
2.6 Admixture: Sulphonated Naphthalene
formaldehyde condensate CONPLAST SP 430 super
plasticizer was used. It conforms to IS: 9103-1999
[16] and has a specific gravity of 1.20.
2.7 Water: Water conforming to as per IS: 456-
2000[19] was used for mixing as well as curing of
Concrete specimens.
3. Experimental Method:-Experimental investi-
gation is carried out to study the properties of M35
grade of concrete. Silica Fume of 0%, 4%, 8% and
12% with addition of 0.5 diameters of crimped steel
fibers with various percentage as 0%, 0.5%, 1% &
1.5% by the volume of concrete. The mix proportion
was (1:1.59:2.71) of cement 400 Kg/ m3 with W/C
Ratio 0.41 and ratio of course aggregate A1:A2 was
70:30. The 150 X 150 X 150 mm cubes and 100 X
100 X 500 mm prisms (beams) were casted. The
compressive strength and flexural strength was
carried out at the age of 28 and 90 days, at various %
of silica fume and steel fibers.
4. TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 Workability: - The workability of silica fume
with and without steel fiber concrete has found to
decrease than normal concrete. It appeared that the
addition of super plasticizer improves the
workability. Super plasticizer was added range of
0.75 to 1.5% by weight of cementations materials for
maintaining the slump up to 25 mm.
4.2 Compressive strength: - The effect of silica
fume with and without steel fiber on compressive
strength of concrete are shown in Table 4.1.and their
graphical trends are shown in Figure 4.1 and Figure
4.2.
28 days 90 days 28 days 90 days
39.64 42.03 39.64 42.03
8% Silica Fume 12% Silica Fume
28 days 90 days 28 days 90 days
45.92 48.62 44.18 47.38
46.65 48.62 45.62 48.00
47.00 49.54 46.06 48.87
47.48 49.54 46.76 49.42
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28 Days of curing 90 Days of curing

49

Compressive Strength in
47
45

(fck) Mpa
43
41
39
37
35
0 4 8 12
Silica Fume in %
Figure 4.1 Compressive strength at 28, 90 days of age at 0%,
0% 4%, 8 % and 12% of Silica Fume and
without steel fiber.
Silica Fume 4% Silica Fume12% Silica Fume 8% Silica Fume 4% Silica Fume12% Silica Fume 8%

49
Compressive Strength (fcf) Mpa
50
Compressive Strength (fcf) Mpa

48 49
47 48
46 47
45 46
44 45
43 44
42 43
41 42
40 41
39 40
38 39
0 0.5 1 1.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
Steel Fiber (Vf%) Steel Fiber (Vf%)

Figure 4.2 Compressive strength at 28 and 90 days of age for 0%, 4%, 8 % and12% of Silica Fume with
steel fiber of 0.5 mm Ø at 0, 0.5, 1.0 and1.5%.

Effect of silica fume: - The effect of silica fume in 15.09%, fiber 1.0 % shows 10.8%,18.56% and
comparison with control concrete for the replacement 16.2%. And fiber 1.5 % shows 13.72%, 19.78% and
of 4%, 8% % and12% cement by silica fume showed 17.96%.
6.26%, 15.84%, and 11.45% increases in ii) For 90 days of curing, Silica fume of 4% 8% and
compressive strength at 28 days of curing. And 12% with steel fiber of 0.5 % shows 7.02%, 16.61%
6.73%, 15.68%and 12.73% increase in compressive and14.2%, 1.0 % shows 8.68%, 17.86% and 16.27%.
strength at 90 days of curing. This shows the And 1.5 % shows 9.73%, 18.44% and 17.58%.
significant increase in compressive strength. The effect of silica fume with
4.3 Flexural strength:-The
Effect of silica fume with steel fibers :- i) For 28 and without steel fiber on flexural strength of
days of curing, Silica fume of 4% 8% and 12% with concrete
rete are shown in Table 4.2.and their graphical
steel fiber of 0.5 % shows 8.17%, 17.68% and trends are shown in Figure 4.3and Figure 4.4.

Table 4.3: Flexural strength of Silica fume concrete (with & without Steel fibers) in N/mm2.
S. A) WITHOUT SILICA FUME & STEEL FIBERS (Control Concrete)
NO Steel Silica 28 days 90 days 28 days 90 days 28 days 90 days
01 0.0 0.0 4.78 5.02 4.78 5.02 4.78 5.02
B) WITH SILICA FUME & STEEL FIBERS
Steel Fiber 4% Silica Fume 8% Silica Fume 12% Silica Fume
Dia.& Vf (%) 28 days 90 days 28 days 90 days 28 days 90 days
Length
02 0.0 4.98 5.28 5.25 5.48 5.22 5.46
03 0.5mm ø 0.5 5.06 5.32 5.32 5.49 5.26 5.48
04 & 1.0 5.17 5.44 5.43 5.53 5.39 5.52
05 30 mm 1.5 5.22 5.48 5.51 5.63 5.46 5.59

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28 Days of Curing 90Days of Curing

Flexural Strength (frf) Mpa

5.6
5.35
5.1
4.85
4.6
4.35
4 8 12 0
Silica Fume (%)
Figure 4.4: Flexural strength at 28 and 90 days of age at 0%, 4%, 8 % and 12% of Silica Fume.

Silica Fme 4% Silica Fme 8% Silica Fme 12% Silica Fme 4% Silica Fme 8% Silica Fme 12%

5.6 5.65

Flexural Strength in(frf) Mpa

Flexural Strength (frf) Mpa

5.5 5.6
5.4 5.55
5.5
5.3
5.45
5.2
5.4
5.1 5.35
5 5.3
4.9 5.25
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Steel Fiber (Vf%) Steel Fiber in %

Figure 4.5 Flexural strength at 28 and 90 days of age for 0%, 4%, 8 % and12% of Silica Fume with steel
fiber of 0.5 mm Ø at 0, 0.5, 1.0 and1.5%.
Flexural strength 4.4 Relationship between Mechanical properties of
1. Effect of silica fume:-The The flexural strength concrete
increase by replacement of 4%, 8% and 12% cement Based on the test results, mathematical model was
by silica fume showed 4.18%, 9.83% and 9.2% at 28 developed using graphical methods to quantify the
days of curing and 5.18%, 9.16% and 8.76%increase effect of silica fume and steel fiber content on
in flexural strength at 90 days of curing. interrelationship between compressive strength and
fibers i) For 28
2. Effect of silica fume with steel fibers:- flexural strength of concrete, at 4%, 8% and12%
days of curing, Silica fume of 4% % 8% and 12% with silica fume with steel fiber of 0.5 mm 0%, 0.5%,
steel fiber of 0.5 % shows 5.86%11.29%and 10.4%, 1.0%, and 1.5% at 28 days and 90 days of curing. On
fiber 1.0 % shows 8.16%, 13.6%and 12.76%. And examining the validity of the proposed model, there
fiber 1.5 % shows 9.21%, 15.27%and 14.27%. exists a good correlation between the predicted
ii) For 90 days of curing, Silica fume of 4% 8% and values by graphs and thehe experimental values was
12% with steel fiber of 0.5 % shows 5.98%, 9.36% showed in Figure 4.6, and Figure 4.7.
and 9.16%, 1.0 % shows 8.37%, 10.16%and 9.96%.
And 1.5 % shows 9.16%, 12.15%and 11.35%.11.35%
y = 0.355x0.706 y = 0.017x1.485 y = 0.257x0.792 4% silica fume
8% silica fume
R² = 0.964 R² = 0.950 R² = 0.825 12% silica fume
5.6
5.5
Flexural Strength Mpa

5.4
5.3
5.2
5.1
5
4.9
43 44 45 46 47 48 41 42
Compressive Strength Mpa
Figure 4.6: Relationship between Compressive Strength (fcf) and Flexural Strength (frf) at 28 days of
curing. Mathematical model were predicted the Flexural Strength from Compressive Strength.

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y = 0.033x1.334
R² = 0.974
5.7
Flexural Strength Mpa
5.6
5.5
5.4
5.3
5.2
46 4447
Compressive strength Mpa
Figure 4.7: Relationship between Compressive Strength (fcf) and Flexural Strength (frf) at 90 days of
curing. Mathematical model were predicted the Flexural Strength from Compressive Strength.
CONCLUSIONS:-
Following conclusions were obtained base on the
experimental investigations.
1. The weight density of concrete increase with
increase in the steel fiber content.
2. Super plasticizer with dosage range of 0.75
to 1.80% by weight of cementations
materials (Cm = PPC + SF) has been used to
maintain the adequate workability of silica
fume concrete and silica fume with steel
fiber concrete mixes.
3. The compressive strength increases
significantly due to addition of silica fume
compared with normal concrete. The
maximum increase in compressive strength
was up to 15.84% and15.68% at 28 days and
90 days of curing for 8% of silica fume
replaced by PPC cement.
4. The compressive strength increases with the
addition of steel fiber was marginal as
compared with silica fume concrete.
5. The flexural strength increases significantly
due to addition of steel fiber with 8% silica
fume than normal concrete with and without
silica fume. The maximum increase in
flexural strength was 11.29%, 13.59% &
15.27% at 28 days at 0.5, 1.0 & 1.5% of
steel fibers and9.36%,10.16& & 12.15% at
90 days at 0.5, 1.0 & 1.5% of steel fibers.
6. The flexural strength increases with the
addition of silica fume was marginal as
compared with steel fiber concrete.
7. On the basis of regression analysis of large
number of experimental results, the
statistical model showed in figures has been
developed. The proposed model was found
to have good accuracy in estimating the 28
days and 90 days Compressive strength and
Flexural Strength, with their inter
relationship at 0 %,4% 8% 12% Silica Fume
& 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%,1.5% Steel Fibers of both
diameters.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors would like to express their sincere
appreciation for providing steel fibers by Shaktiman
Stewols India (P) Ltd. and Super plasticizer by Black
cat Enterprises (P) Ltd. Nagpur.
IJAET/Vol.III/ Issue I/January-March, 2012/361-366
E-ISSN 0976-3945
y = 0.104x1.018 y = 0.704x0.530 4% silica fume
8% silica fume
R² = 0.770 R² = 0.914 12% silica fume
45
48 49 50 51
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