Effect of Steel Fibers on the Concrete Strength Grade: A Review

Abstract

The use of concrete reinforced with steel fibers has emerged as an effective material which has the advantages to be used in the most unconventional situations in reinforced concrete structures. These advantages involve reinforcements in structures that intend to resist loads in extreme conditions or change in the type of use, design and or construction errors, degradation of materials (carbonation or corrosion of reinforcement) and also the possible occurrence of accidents such as fires, floods, gusts of wind and earthquakes. In addition, the increasing use of this reinforcement system requires the development of more conclusive studies regarding the characteristics and behaviour of the steel fibers, as well as a critical evaluation of this material and its techniques. This manuscript presents a review on the interaction between steel fibre and the concrete substrate. Initially, a brief description of some fibers materials is made, followed by a summary of some works on adhesion between steel fibres and concrete under static loads. Finally, a summary of the few works on the main contribution of the steel fibers application to increase the strength after the cracking of concrete matrix during loading.