Title:
High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Mixture Proportions with High Fiber Volume Fractions
Author(s):
P. Balaguru and H. Najm
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
101
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
281-286
Keywords:
compressive strength; fiber-reinforced concrete; flexural strength; high-performance concrete; lightweight concrete; silica fume; toughness
DOI:
10.14359/13361
Date:
7/1/2004
Abstract:
An experimental investigation of high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) was performed that showed high-performance FRC with fiber volume fractions up to 3.75% of 30 mm-long hooked steel fibers can be achieved using conventional mixing and appropriate matrix compositions. Based on this investigation, the optimum fiber content was dependent on mixture design constituents, fiber types, and mixing procedure. Test results showed high-performance steel FRC (SFRC) with 3.75% fiber volume fraction is attainable and can be successfully applied in the field. The fibers were mixable with the mortar and concrete matrixes. The mixture was workable and flowable and fiber distribution was uniform. Six mortar mixture proportions and one lightweight concrete mixture and three fiber types were tested. Mortar mixtures included cement Types II and V, mortar sand, condensed silica fume, and high-range water-reducing admixtures (HRWRA). The fiber types were hooked steel fibers, straight steel fibers, and polypropylene macrofibers. The mixtures were successfully produced in a ready-mix plant. Flexural strengths obtained varied from 12 to 24 MPa. Compressive strengths varied from 74 to 100 MPa and splitting tensile strengths were from 12.6 to 17 MPa. The flexural toughness of mixtures achieved in this study was two to three times higher than those of conventional FRC.