Title: Optimum fibre content for precast steel-fibre-reinforced concrete pipes

Author(s): Nedal Mohamed; Ahmed Soliman; Moncef Nehdi

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 310

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 383-392

Keywords: Dry-cast concrete, steel fibres, precast concrete pipes, three edge bearing test.

DOI:

Date: 3/17/2017

Abstract:
This paper reports the full-scale production and testing, for the first time in Canada, of precast concrete pipes fabricated with dispersed steel fibres as the only reinforcement. Two types of steel fibres having rounded cross-sections and hooked ends were used. Steel fibres had lengths and aspect ratios of 35 mm and 65, and 60 mm and 80, respectively. The steel fibres content ranged from zero to 60 kg/m³. Steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) pipes with internal diameters of 300, 450, and 600 mm were cast and tested under the continuous threeedge-bearing test (TEBT) according to ASTM C497 standard and the cyclic TEBT according to the European standard EN 1916. Plain concrete (PC) and conventionally reinforced concrete (RC) pipes were also tested for comparison. Vertical deformations of the pipes cross-section were monitored using displacement transducers. Results showed that SFRC pipes achieved ultimate loads substantially higher than the required strength for class V pipes according to the ASTM C76 standard. Moreover, the post peak behaviour of SFRC pipes was similar to or higher than that of RC pipes, depending on the fibre content. These findings confirm the ability of steel fibres to replace regular steel rebar reinforcement, leading to desired economic benefits.