Influence of Steel Fibers on the Behavior of Light Weight Concrete Made from Crushed Clay Bricks

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of steel fibers on some properties of light weight concrete. The coarse aggregate used in this study made from crushed clay bricks. Four proportions of steel fibers are used (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%) by volume of concrete, in addition, to reference mix (without steel fibers). The density obtained from experimental work was 1812 Kg/m³. The results showed that, in general, the adding of steel fibers led to increase the compressive strength of light weight concrete. The enhancement in compressive strength was about (17%-43%) at 7 days and (21%-51%) at 28 days as compared with reference mix. Also, it is deduced that, the proportion (0.75%) of steel fibers is the optimum one. On the other hand, splitting tensile strength increased by about 62.62%, 33.76%, 17.27% and 5.93% for light weight concrete with 1%, 0.75%, 0.5% and 0.25% steel fibers by volume of concrete respectively. Furthermore, flexural strength improved by about 54.24%, 41.67%, 29.25% and 20.91% for light weight concrete with 1%, 0.75%, 0.5% and 0.25% steel fiber by volume of concrete respectively. Finally, the results indicated that, there are significant increases in static modulus of elasticity and absorption for mixes which have steel fibers as compared with others without steel fibers.