Name : LIM JIANN JONQ

Supervisor : DR. IR. MUSTAQQIM BIN

ABDUL RAHIM
FYP title: Development of concrete element by
using slurry infiltrated fiber reinforced
concrete (SIFCON) method
1.Research background

special type of self-compacting high-

performance fiber-reinforced concrete
(HPFRC).

In conventional fiber reinforced concrete

(FRC), the percentage of fibers is limited to
about 2% only due to practical workability
reasons. Beyond 2% of fibers, the workability
of mix reduces drastically.

Whereas the percentage of fibers by

volume in SIFCON can be anywhere from
5 to 20% (Sharma et al., 2008).
1.1 Research gap

- From previous study, the experimental results shows that the

different percentage volume of SIFCON give different result of
performance of the concrete ( Hassan, 2007).

- In this research, the fiber volume will be use is 1%, 3% and 5%.
This is to study the effect of low fiber volume percentage on
performance of concrete. Since previous study only consider more
or equal to 5% of fiber volume in the research, the effect of fiber
volume ranges from 5% to 20% on performance of concrete is clear
but not the effect of lower fiber volume (less than 5% fiber volume).
1.2 Aim

- The use of steel fibers leads to an increment in terms of efficiency

and ductility of concrete. ( Elnono et al., 2009 )

- The use of of steel fiber is to solve the low tensile strength that a
ordinary concrete possess while at the same time study the
difference between ordinary concrete and SIFCON in terms of
physical properties and strength.

- However there are four factors to be considered in designing the

SIFCON. These are slurry strength, fiber volume, fiber alignment,
and type (Abdollahi B. and Bakshi M., 2012).

- In this research, the slurry strength, fiber alignment and type will be
fixed, only fiber volume varied.
Fiber orientation Type of steel fiber

Slurry strength Fiber volume

2. Problem statement

Cracks occurs even when specifications

were strictly followed and the concrete
designed, supplied, placed, and cured in
accordance with formal standards and
Plastic shrinkage good practices of the construction
industry. The use of steel reinforcement
bar in concrete cannot prevent cracks.
Most of the cracks are formed due to the
inherent weakness of the material to
resist tensile forces.
Drying shrinkage
2.1. Objective

To study the
physical • Density
characteristics of • workability
SIFCON

To study the
mechanical • Compressive strength
characteristics of • Flexural strength
SIFCON.

To determine the
optimum
percentage of • Among 1%, 3% and 5%
fiber volume in
SIFCON.
3. Scope of Research

- In this study, slump flow test will carry out to test the workability of
fresh concrete, density test to test the density of fresh concrete,
compressive strength test, flexural strength test, rebound hammer
test and ultrasonic pulse velocity test to test for the strength of the
concrete cube so that we can obtain the optimum percentage fiber
volume.
- only considered one type of fiber which is stainless steel fiber. This
approach is not cost effective in real life application as the stainless
steel material is quite expensive. Hence, it is best suited in the areas
like pavement rehabilitation, seismic and explosive-resistant
structures.
- Aspect ratio is fixed. This is to reduce the complexity of the research
because the main focus of this research is to study the effect of steel
fiber on the mechanical properties of concrete and conclude the
optimum of fiber percentage to use.
- Grade is limit to M25 because the mix ratio of constituent material
is known which is 1:1.5:3 and 0.5 w/c ratio. In contrast, greater
grade of concrete than M25 need to trail and mix for many times to
get wanted grade of concrete in which this will cost more time and
resources.
4. Methodology
- 4.1 Casting of specimen
4.2) Experiment
- 4.2.1 Slump test
The workability of the fresh concrete need to be tested by using slump
test. In slump test, workability of concrete is not measured directly but
by determination the consistency of concrete which will give general
idea about the workability condition of concrete mix. The slump length
need to be recorded in a table. This test is conforming to BS EN 12350-
2.

- 4.2.2 Slump flow test

The workability of the slurry need to be tested by using slump flow
test. The slump diameter and the time taken for the slump to first touch
the 50cm diameter mark will be recorded in a table. This test is
conforming to BS EN 12350-8.
- 4.2.3 Density test.
The density of the fresh concrete need to be tested by using density test.
Before putting the mortar into the cube molds, the mass of the mold
need to be weighed by using electronic balance. After finish molding,
the mass of the mold + mortar need to be reweighed again. The density
of the fresh concrete can be obtained by using formula of
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠
Density (kg/m3) =
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
This test is conforming to BS EN 12390-7.

- 4.2.4 Rebound hammer test

It is known as Schmidt hammer test. Schmidt hammer is a device
which is used to measure the uniformity and strength of the concrete.
The hammer measures the concrete compressive strength comparing
the rebound value towards a conversion chart. The rebound value is
obtained as the hammer hits and rebounds from the concrete surface.
The rebound value will be depended onto the hardness of the concrete.
This test is conforming to IS 13311-1992.
- 4.2.5 Ultrasonic pulse velocity test (UPV test)
It is used to determine the strength and quality of concrete. This UPV
test is carried out by transmitting the ultrasonic pulse through the
concrete, and then measuring and recording the duration of the pulse
pass through the concrete, and then measuring and recording the
duration of the pulse pass through the structure implies that the
structure are in good quality and continuity, while a longer duration
implies there might have existence of voids or cracks in the structure.
This test is conforming to BS 1881-203.

-5.2.6 Compressive strength test

After 24 hours of casting, demould and transfer the specimen to curing
tank where they were to cure for 7 days and 28 days. After 7 days and
28 days of curing, Test these cubes on compressive testing machine.
Record the failure load. The compressive strength is calculated as
follow.
𝐹𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑
Compressive strength (Mpa) =
𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
Results obtained is in accordance with BS EN 12390-3 (2002)
-4.2.7 Flexural strength test
After 24 hours of casting, demould and transfer the specimen to curing
tank where they were to cure for 7 and 28 days. After 7 and 28 days of
curing, test the flexural strength of specimens using center point
loading as per ASTM C293 over an effective span of 400mm on testing
machine. Note the load and corresponding deflection upon failure. The
flexural strength is expressed in terms of modulus of rupture and
calculated as follows.
𝑃𝑥𝐿
Flexural strength (Mpa) =
𝑏 𝑥 𝑑2
Where,
P = Failure load
L = Center to center distance between support = 400mm
b = width of specimen, 100mm
d = depth of specimen, 100mm
4.3 Flowchart
4.4 Gantt chart
4.5 Preliminary result
i) Density test of fresh control concrete sample
a. Density of cube:
Volume of cube = 0.001m3
Control Mass of mould Mass of mould + cube Mass of cube Density
sample (kg) (kg) (kg) ( kg/m3 )
B1-1 9.01 11.48 2.47 2470
B1-2 9.05 11.51 2.46 2460

B1-3 9.06 11.54 2.48 2480

B1-4 9.12 11.53 2.41 2410

B1-5 8.99 11.50 2.51 2510

B1-6 9.17 11.69 2.52 2520

B1-7 9.52 12.01 2.49 2490

B1-8 9.19 11.66 2.47 2470

B1-9 9.09 11.56 2.47 2470

Average density = 2473.33 kg/m3

b.) Density of beam:
Volume of beam = 0.005 m3
Control Mass of mould Mass of mould + beam Mass of beam Density
sample (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg/m3)

C1 16.81 29.31 12.50 2500

C2 13.38 25.39 12.01 2402

C3 12.63 24.75 12.12 2424

C4 16.96 29.07 12.11 2422

C5 13.39 25.67 12.28 2456

C6 12.60 25.24 12.64 2528

Average density = 2455.33 kg/m3

ii) Slump test

Sample Result ( mm)

B1-(1-9) 25
C1-C6 25

4.6 Technical challenges

- Need help from others when casting the concrete as it take a lot of
energy and time.
- Trial is needed to make sure the calculation or the mix ratio is
correct, to get the desired strength properties.
- Need queuing to use mold for casting of concrete.
- Too many people doing the flexural and splitting tensile test when
there is only 3 mold of beam and cylinder.
- If using plywood to make formwork/mold, most of the time will get
honeycomb at the bottom of concrete.
- Not able to proceed to cast beam because the machine use to test
flexural is not functioning. Need to wait until next year.
- Due to budget issue, raw material such as cement and aggregate
might not be enough.
4.6. Research Progress
Objective Experiments & variables Planned Actual stone Percentage
stone mile date
mile date
Objective 1: To study the -Determination of density of Not yet
physical properties of fresh SIFCON and workability of 28/10/ complete
Slurry infiltrated fiber slurry. 2019 – because still 0
reinforced concrete 28/2/ need to trial
(SIFCON) 2020 for 7 day
strength to
make sure the
mix ratio is
correct
Objective 2: To study the -Determination of compressive
mechanical properties of strength of SIFCON using Not yet
Slurry infiltrated fiber rebound hammer test, 28/10/ complete
reinforced concrete Ultrasonic pulse velocity test 2019 – because still 0
(SIFCON) and compressive strength test. 28/2/ need to trial for
-Determination of flexural 2020 7 day strength
strength using flexural strength to make sure
the mix ratio is
test
correct

Objective 3: To determine -Determination of the optimum

the optimum percentage percentage of fiber volume to 28/10/ Not yet
of fiber volume in Slurry get the maximum strength in 2019 – complete due 0
infiltrated fiber SIFCON. 28/2/ to insufficient
reinforced concrete 2020 mold to cast
(SIFCON) and machine is
not
functioning
5. References
 Sharma, H. K., Singh, V.P., and Mukeshkumar. (2008). "Structural
optimization and performance of SIFCON plates." Proc. Int Conf.
on Applied Computer & Apllied Computational Science, Hangzhou,
China, pp. 787-792.
 Elnono ME, Salem HM, Farahat AM, Elzanaty AH. Use of slurry
infiltrated fiber concrete in reinforced concrete corner connections
subjected to opening moments. J Adv Concrete Technol
2009;7(1):51-9.
 Abdollahi, B., Bakhshi, M., Mirzaee, Z., Shekarchi, M., and
Motavalli, M. (2012). “SIFCON strengthening of concrete cylinders
in comparison with conventional GFRP confinement method.”
Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 36, pp. 765-778, DOI:
10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.06.021.