Mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced concrete using coal-bottom ash as replacement of fine aggregate

Abstract

The present investigation aims to study the significance of coal coal-bottom ash as a partial replacement to natural river sand in fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC). Hooked-end steel fibers were used to produce fiber-reinforced concrete at a fiber content of 1.5% by volume concrete. About 30% of natural sand was replaced with coal coal-bottom ash to produce M30 grade concrete with a water–cement ratio of 0.45. The prolonged curing period has a positive effect on the coal, coal-bottom ash replaced concretes. There was a slight increment in the compressive strength of FRC because of inclusion of steel fibers. However, significant improvements were observed in flexural and split tensile strength of FRC due to the inclusion of steel fibers. The optimum content of coal, coal-bottom ash replacement to natural sand was found to be 20%.