IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)
e-ISSN: 2278-1684,p-ISSN: 2320-334X, Volume 6, Issue 3 (May. - Jun. 2013), PP 01-04
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Behaviour of Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete Beam under Cyclic
Loading
Sreeja . M.D
Department of Civil Engineering SRM University, Kattankulathur, Chennai.
Abstract: This paper describes the influence of steel fibre distribution on the ultimate strength of concrete
beams. An experimental & analytical investigation of the behaviour of concrete beams reinforced with
conventional steel bars and steel fibres under cyclic loading is presented. It is now well established that one of
the important properties of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) is its superior resistance to cracking and
crack propagation. As a result of this ability to arrest cracks, fibre composites possess increased extensibility
and tensile strength, both at first crack and at ultimate load and the fibres are able to hold the matrix together
even after extensive cracking. The net result of all these is to impart to the fibre composite pronounced post –
cracking ductility which is unheard of in ordinary concrete. The transformation from a brittle to a ductile type
of material would increase substantially the energy absorption characteristics of the fibre composite and its
ability to withstand repeatedly applied, shock or impact loading. Tests on conventionally reinforced concrete
beam specimens, containing steel fibres in different proportions, have been conducted to establish load-
deflection curves. It was observed that SFRC beams showed enhanced properties compared to that of RC beams
with steel fibres. The experimental investigations are validated with the analytical studies carried out by finite
element models using ANSYS.
Keywords: Steel fiber, concrete, properties, crack, ductility, technology.
I. Introduction
SFRC is a composite material made of cements, water, fine and coarse aggregate, and a dispersion of
discontinuous, small fibres. These short discrete fibres are uniformly distributed and randomly oriented. They
are mixed with concrete before pouring. The reinforced concrete structures are subjected to cyclic loads during
dynamic loads such as earthquake shocks, traffic loads on the bridges, etc. It is well known that plain concrete is
brittle and weak under flexural loads. To eliminate the disadvantages of plain concrete is added fibers into
concrete mix. All admixtures meeting ASTM specifications for use in concrete are suitable for use in SFRC.
Steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) has gained increased popularity in construction industries in recent
years.
Properties of Concrete Improved by Steel Fibres:
Flexural Strength: Flexural bending strength can be increased of up to 3 times more compared to
conventional concrete.
Fatigue Resistance: Almost 1 1/2 times increase in fatigue strength.
Impact Resistance: Greater resistance to damage in case of a heavy impact.
Permeability: The material is less porous.
Abrasion Resistance: More effective composition against abrasion and spalling.
Shrinkage: Shrinkage cracks can be eliminated.
Corrosion: Corrosion may affect the material but it will be limited in certain areas.
The different types of steel fibres which are available is shown in Fig 1.2
Fig 1.2 Types of steel fibres
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Behaviour Of Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete Beam Under Cyclic Loading
1.1 Objectives
The objective of this study is to:
Investigate the mechanical properties like flexural strength, modulus of elasticity flexure beams and
cylinders.
Investigate ductility requirement , moment rotation capacity, energy absorption capacity for SFRC beams
under cyclic loading using hybrid steel fibers of different volume fractions
Improve the resistance of conventionally reinforced structural members to cracking, deflection and other
serviceability conditions, by utilizing the inherent material properties of fiber concrete.
1.2 Need for the Research
To improve:
Ductility.
Energy absorption.
Moment rotation capacity.
Structural strength.
Confinement characteristics.
1.3 Scope
The scope of work is to study the behaviour of steel fibre reinforced beams under cyclic loading and
comparing the results both analytically (using ANSYS- a general purpose finite element-modelling package)
and experimentally. The parameters investigated are:
Midspan Deflection
Strain measurement
Location & type of crack occurrence
1.4 Research significance
It is clearly seen from the literature that the behaviour of beam is affected by the properties of core
concrete. Ductility is desirable in reinforced concrete frames under seismic loading. Ductility is generally
achieved by providing closely spaced horizontal ties, but this causes difficulties in placing concrete in densely
reinforced portions resulting in bad concreting. To avoid such closely spaced stirrups, confinement
characteristics of core concrete has to be improved, which increases the ductility of the core concrete. In this
respect, steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) which posses ductility, toughness and tensile strength more than
the plain conventional concrete can be considered to replace the plain concrete .It is expected that use of SFRC
can eliminate partially or fully the ties ,thus avoiding the congestion of reinforcement.
1.5 Summary of review of literature
It is clearly seen from the literature that the behaviour of RC beam is affected by the properties of Steel
fibre reinforced core concrete.
Many investigators have established that inclusion of high strength, high elastic modulus steel fibres of
short length and small diameter improves the tensile strength and ductility of concrete significantly.
The combination of steel fibres and stirrups demonstrates a positive composite effect on the ultimate load,
ductility and failure pattern of concrete beam.
II. Materials and Methods
2.1 Materials:
The materials used in the experimental work are tested for their properties and the details are
furnished. Raw materials listed below were used for preparation of the specimens:
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Coarse aggregate with 10 mm maximum size
Fine aggregate
Steel Reinforcement:
High Yield for main bar (12 mm,10 mm) and;
Mild steel for shear reinforcement (8 mm)
Crimped and Hooked end steel fibres
Plywood with thickness 12 mm to prepared formwork.
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Behaviour Of Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete Beam Under Cyclic Loading
2.1.1 Details of Fibres
Fibre used – Hooked end, Crimped with following aspect ratios and diameters. The properties of fibres are
given in Table 2.4
s.no Fibre Aspect Length Diameter
ratio (mm) (mm)
(l/d)
1 Hook 80 60 0.75
End -1
2 Hook 65 35 0.55
End -2
3 Hook 45 50 1.11
End -3
4 Crimped 50 50 1
Table 2.4 Properties of Fibres
III. Mix Design
Considering the capacity of beam testing machine, the grade of the concrete is M30. The mix design of
the M20 grade concrete as per IS: 10262-1982.
Water cement Fine Coarse
aggregate aggregate
214.24 465.7 506.52 1123.6
0.46 1 1.08 2.41
3.1 Design Of RC Beam
The RC Beam is designed based on the load carrying capacity of the testing Equipment. The limiting
load applied on the beam from the equipment is considered as 250kN.. The dimensions and reinforcement
details for the beam are given below.The detailing of the beam is done as normal detailing and ductile detailing.
L - 1800 mm B - 150 mm D - 225 mm
3.1.1 Fibre proportions in RC Beam
s.no Proportions
1 Control beam without fiber & normal
detailing as per IS456
2 Control beam without fiber & ductile
detailing as per IS13920
3 Crimped fibre with AR-50+ Hooked End
fibre with AR-80
4 Hooked end fibre with AR-80+ Hooked End
fibre with AR-45
IV. Experimental set up
All beams after casting are cured for 28 days prior to testing.Cyclic Loading is the application of
incremental Push and Pull Load. The analysis is also known as Push-Pull analysis. The loads are applied
incrementally as positive and negative loads.Hydraulic jack and load cells(10tonnes or 25 tonnes) are placed
above and below the beam in order to attain the effect of cyclic loading. Each beam is tested for corresponding
load increment and finally the4 behaviour of beam is studied.
4.1 Analytical investigation
The study on the structural frame is basically a deflection controlled analysis; hence the analysis is
carried out by the application of lateral force. The 3D model is analysed and the displacement results are
observed from cyclic loading by applying each load increment both in positive direction and in negative
direction. Figure showing the reinforcement details in ansys is shown below.
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Behaviour Of Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete Beam Under Cyclic Loading
.
Fig.4.1.1 Reinforcement details in ANSYS
V. Schedule of work
Cylinders are casted by using the various fibre configurations in order to get the corresponding
modulus of elasticity. The same results are compared analytically using ANSYS software.
VI. Conclusion
The experimental values of the strain and deflection of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams are
compared with that of the corresponding estimated values of the strain and deflection of reinforced concrete
beams without fiber. The comparison reveals that the strength depends on the presence of fibre and it increases
with decrease in the spacing of stirrups (increase in the percentage of web reinforcement). The ultimate strength
of SFRC beams is analytically obtained. The analytical results were
compared with the experimental results.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank Mrs K.GOMATHI, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, SRM
University for guiding me in writing this paper.
References
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