The effect of varied types of steel fibers on the performance of self-compacting concrete modified with volcanic pumice powder

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this work involves studying the impact of varied types of steel fibers (SF) on the performance of self-compacting concrete (SCC), containing volcanic pumice powder (VPP). In this study, five types of steel fiber, which had a hooked end with two lengths of (SF1) and (SF3), flat end of length (SF2), in addition to the pointed end of (SF4) and (SF5) by 1% of volume fraction, were used. In addition, hybrid steel fiber (a mixture of all the steel fiber types) by 0.2% of volume fraction of concrete volume was used. Moreover, VPP was utilized by 30% cement mass as a substitute material for producing SCC. The impact of steel fiber properties in the shape of SF on the fresh concrete properties as slump flow and segregation were investigated. In addition to their influence on the compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, toughness, porosity, water absorption, and bulk density were examined. The results showed that SF led to decreasing the SCC fresh properties. Utilizing SF, on the other hand, improved the SCC hardened properties, as well as the toughness indices.