Experimental Investigation of High-Strength Self-Compacting Fibre-Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

The improvement and development of new techniques in material science are progressively rapid. An experimental programme was conducted to assess the influence of addition of steel fibres to self-compacting concrete (SCC). The aim of present experimental work is to study the effect of superplasticizer and steel fibres on the properties of fresh and hardened SCC. Based on the properties of constituent materials, various trials mixes were produced by varying material proportions, w/c ratio and superplasticizer dosage. An optimum mix design satisfying all requirements of SCC was obtained. Steel fibres of varying percentages from 0 to 5% were added to optimum mix to carry out study on the properties of fresh and hardened SCC. Slump flow, V-funnel and L-Box tests were conducted to study the properties of fresh SCC. Cubes and cylinders were cast cured for 28 days and tested for compressive strength and split tensile strength to study the properties of hardened SCC. The results obtained indicate a direct impact of dosage of superplasticizer and percentage content of fibres on the properties of fresh and hardened SCC.