Effects of the incorporation of steel fibers with plasticizer additive in concrete

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of steel fibers at 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%, as a function of concrete volume plus 1% plasticizing additive as a function of cement weight for control designs of resistance 210 kg/cm2 and 280 kg/cm2, on compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity. Steel fibers with a length of 60 mm type KF 80/60 CH were used. The addition of the steel fiber did not significantly reduce the workability; however, the temperature showed a reduction with respect to the standard concrete specimen. The results showed that for the 210 kg/cm2 and 280 kg/cm2 concrete control designs, the optimum proportions were 2% and 4% of steel fibers, which increased the compressive strength, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity by 14.76%, 14.93% and 1.63% for the 210 kg/cm2 strength control design and for the 280 kg/cm2 strength control design increased by 16.29%, 16.95% and 13.75% with respect to the standard concrete strength. The results of this study show that steel fibers with a specific dosage of superplasticizer can be used for structural and non-structural concrete, being significantly influential in improving mechanical properties.