Fiber Alignment of Steel Fiber Reinforced High Strength Concrete (SFR-HSC) in Flexural Members and its Effect on the Flexural Strength

Abstract

The fibers alignment in steel fiber reinforced high strength concrete (SFR-HSC) has naturally significant influence on the mechanical properties of concrete. Fiber-reinforced concrete being manufactured by means various kinds of specimen shape and diversified filling methods and directions, these variables are likely to produce effect on the fibers alignment leading to large differences in its mechanical properties. This study intended to evaluate the effect of placing and flow direction not only on the fibers alignment but also on the tensile behavior of SFR-HSC. Section analysis using photographic shooting was adopted to investigate the fiber alignment and revealed considerable difference in the fiber alignment according to the placing and flow direction. The best alignment appears to be achieved when placing is done in the direction of the flexural tensile stress and the alignment was change with the flow distance although the same flow direction. Such placing and flow direction produce little difference in the first cracking strength but significant discrepancy up to 50% in the ultimate tensile strength.