Effect of Steel Fiber Coupled with Recycled Aggregate Concrete on Splitting Tensile Strength and Microstructure Characteristics of Concrete
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 8
Abstract
The main objective of this paper is to investigate the impact splitting tensile property and microstructure characteristics of steel fiber recycled aggregate concrete (SFRAC) based on the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of fiber content, strain rate, and recycled aggregate replacement ratio on the mechanical parameters (static and dynamic splitting tensile strength, peak strain and ultimate strain, peak toughness and ultimate toughness) were analyzed. Then the microstructure characteristics of SFRAC at different interfaces were observed via SEM, and energy spectrum analysis of the interface transition zone (ITZ) was carried out. The results show that SFRAC is a strain-rate sensitive material whose mechanical properties are affected by the strain rate and improved with its increase. It is also found that steel fibers play a role in improving dynamic splitting tensile strength and toughness, and the optimal fiber content is about 1.0%. However, increasing the recycled aggregate replacement ratio will weaken the good effect of steel fibers on the mechanical properties. Furthermore, it can be seen by means of SEM that the fracture area of steel fiber is mostly pulled out. Also, there are more cracks and pores in the cement paste of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) compared with normal concrete (NC), and the hydration products in the ITZ are significantly decreased. With the incorporation of steel fibers, the calcium content of the ITZ can be reduced.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all of the data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
Anandamurthy, A., V. Guna, M. Ilangovan, and N. Reddy. 2017. “A review of fibrous reinforcements of concrete.” J. Reinf. Plast. Compos. 36 (7): 519–552. https://doi.org/10.1177/0731684416685168.
ASTM. 2013. Standard specification for concrete aggregates. ASTM C33/C33M-13. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Behera, M., S. K. Bhattacharyya, A. K. Minocha, R. Deoliya, and S. Maiti. 2014. “Recycled aggregate from C&D waste & its use in concrete—A breakthrough towards sustainability in construction sector: A review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 68 (Mar): 501–516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.07.003.
Brisard, S., C. A. Davy, L. Michot, D. Troadec, and P. Levitz. 2019. “Mesoscale pore structure of a high-performance concrete by coupling focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering.” J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 102 (5): 2905–2923. https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.16059.
Cao, W., J. Xiao, T. Ye, and L. Li. 2020. “Research progress and engineering application of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete structure.” J. Build. Struct. 41 (12): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.14006/j.jzjgxb.2019.0551.
Chen, L., and Z. Chen. 2009. “Research and application of recycled concrete.” Concrete 22 (10): 116–119.
Chen, Y., Y. Ji, Z. Chen, P. Ye, and H. Wu. 2022. “Experiment on mechanical properties of steel fiber recycled aggregate concrete under triaxial compression.” Acta Materiae Compositae Sin. 39 (8): 4005–4016.
Chinese Standard. 2011. Pebble and crushed stone for construction. GB/T 14685-2011. Beijing: Chinese Standard.
Dalvand, A., and M. Ahmadi. 2021. “Impact failure mechanism and mechanical characteristics of steel fiber reinforced self-compacting cementitious composites containing silica fume.” Eng. Sci. Technol. Int. J. 24 (3): 736–748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jestch.2020.12.016.
Du, J. D. 2019. “Shanghai issues technical guidelines on application of building products for resource utilization of construction waste concrete.” Struct. Units & Units Archit. (1): 52.
Du, X., and L. Jin. 2012. “Research on the influence of interfacial transition zone on the macro-mechanical properties of concrete.” Eng. Mech. 29 (12): 72–79. https://doi.org/10.6052/j.issn.1000-4750.2011.04.0216.
Emadi, A. A., and A. Modarres. 2021. “Impact of crumb rubber particles on the fracture parameters of concrete through WFM, SEM and BEM.” Constr. Build. Mater. 305 (Oct): 124693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124693.
Erdem, S., A. R. Dawson, and N. H. Thom. 2012. “Impact load-induced micro-structural damage and micro-structure associated mechanical response of concrete made with different surface roughness and porosity aggregates.” Cem. Concr. Res. 42 (2): 291–305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2011.09.015.
Etxeberria, M., E. Vazquez, A. Mari, and M. Barra. 2007. “Influence of amount of recycled coarse aggregates and production process on properties of recycled aggregate concrete.” Cem. Concr. Res. 37 (5): 735–742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.02.002.
Gao, D., and F. Wang. 2021. “Effects of recycled fine aggregate and steel fiber on compressive and splitting tensile properties of concrete.” J. Build. Eng. 44 (Dec): 102631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102631.
Gao, D., and L. Zhang. 2018. “Flexural performance and evaluation method of steel fiber reinforced recycled coarse aggregate concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 159 (Jun): 126–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.10.073.
Gao, D., Q. Zhu, and J. Liu. 2020. “Constitutive model of SFRCAC under uniaxial compression.” J. Basic Sci. Eng. 28 (2): 396–406.
Gao, F., C. Wang, Y. Song, Z. Chen, Q. Liu, Z. Li, Z. Jiang, and X. Zhang. 2021. “Ar-ion polishing FE-SEM analysis of organic maceral identification.” Pet. Geol. Exp. 43 (2): 360–367.
Gao, S., M. Huang, Z. Yang, and Q. Ma. 2022. “Technical progress of X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy in scanning electron microscope.” J. Anal. Sci. 38 (1): 115–121.
Grote, D. L., S. W. Park, and M. Zhou. 2001. “Dynamic behavior of concrete at high strain rates and pressures: I. Experimental characterization.” Int. J. Impact Eng. 25 (9): 869–886. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0734-743X(01)00020-3.
Guo, G., S. Sun, Y. Li, Y. Zheng, and Y. Mei. 2023. “Influence of steel fiber and polymer on fracture characteristics of concrete and mechanism analysis.” J. Highway Transp. Res. Dev. 40 (4): 53–60. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1002-0268.2023.04.007.
He, J., D. Lei, and W. Xu. 2020a. “In-situ measurement of nominal compressive elastic modulus of interfacial transition zone in concrete by SEM-DIC coupled method.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 114 (Nov): 103779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103779.
He, W., X. Kong, C. Zhou, and X. Wang. 2020b. “Investigation on mechanical properties and microstructure of steel fiber reinforced recycled aggregate concrete.” Concrete 374 (12): 44–49.
Hou, L., M. He, W. Huang, and X. Zhou. 2021. “Research status and prospect of mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced recycled concrete.” J. Xi’an Univ. Technol. 37 (3): 403–413.
Hu, Y. 2015. “The recycling of construction waste concrete has become the mission of the sand aggregate industry.” China Concr. (8): 2229.
Huang, L., C. Wu, M. Yang, and B. Wang. 2017. “Application of resilience theory in field of safety science.” China Saf. Sci. J. 27 (3): 1–6.
Institute, C. R. S. R. 2001. Specifications for rock tests in water conservancy hydroelectric engineering. Beijing: China Water Power Press.
Iqbal, S., I. Ali, S. Room, S. A. Khan, and A. Ali. 2019. “Enhanced mechanical properties of fiber reinforced concrete using closed steel fibers.” Mater. Struct. 52 (3): 56. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-019-1357-6.
Kurda, R., J. D. Silvestre, and J. de Brito. 2018. “Toxicity and environmental and economic performance of fly ash and recycled concrete aggregates use in concrete: A review.” Heliyon 4 (4): e00611–e00611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00611.
Lee, S., K.-M. Kim, J. Park, and J.-Y. Cho. 2018. “Pure rate effect on the concrete compressive strength in the split Hopkinson pressure bar test.” Int. J. Impact Eng. 113 (Mar): 191–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2017.11.015.
Li, J. J., J. G. Niu, C. J. Wan, B. Jin, and Y. L. Yin. 2016a. “Investigation on mechanical properties and microstructure of high performance polypropylene fiber reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 118 (May): 27–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.04.116.
Li, Q. M., and H. Meng. 2003. “About the dynamic strength enhancement of concrete-like materials in a split Hopkinson pressure bar test.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 40 (2): 343–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7683(02)00526-7.
Li, X., B. Chen, X. Du, and Z. Ding. 2016b. “The mechanical behaviour of concrete under high strain rates.” J. Yunnan Univ. Nat. Sci. 38 (5): 773–783.
Lin, G., K. Liu, Y. Chen, and H. Xu. 2022. “Study on splitting tensile mechanical properties of different fiber recycled concrete.” J. Exp. Mech. 37 (5): 711–721.
Luo, C., A. Qi, C. Zhou, R. Liu, H. Qiu, L. Lang, and Z. Zhu. 2021. “Study of the dynamic mechanical properties of recycled concrete containing ferronickel slag subjected to impact.” Shock Vib. 2021 (Jul): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5581424.
Luo, H., F. Wei, Y. Zhu, Z. Hua, and W. Yu. 2020. “The failure modes of steel fiber reinforced recycled concrete in dynamic impact test.” Henan Sci. 38 (4): 594–598.
Niaki, M. H., A. Fereidoon, and M. G. Ahangari. 2018. “Experimental study on the mechanical and thermal properties of basalt fiber and nanoclay reinforced polymer concrete.” Compos. Struct. 191 (Mar): 231–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.02.063.
Niu, D., Y. Shen, T. Zhang, and K. Dong. 2021. “Influence of the polypropylene content on mechanical properties of recycled brick concrete.” Ind. Constr. 51 (7): 151–155.
Okeh, C. A. O., D. W. Begg, S. J. Barnett, and N. Nanos. 2019. “Behaviour of hybrid steel fibre reinforced self compacting concrete using innovative hooked-end steel fibres under tensile stress.” Constr. Build. Mater. 202 (Mar): 753–761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.067.
Sattarifard, A. R., M. Ahmadi, A. Dalvand, and A. R. Sattarifard. 2022. “Fresh and hardened-state properties of hybrid fiber-reinforced high-strength self-compacting cementitious composites.” Constr. Build. Mater. 318 (Feb): 125874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125874.
Shandong Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. 2021. Specification for proportioning of recycled concrete. DB37/T 5176-2021. Beijing: Shandong Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.
Shen, J., Q. Xu, and M. Liu. 2021. “Statistical analysis of defects within concrete under elevated temperatures based on SEM image.” Constr. Build. Mater. 293 (Jul): 123503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123503.
Smarzewski, P., and D. Barnat-Hunek. 2017. “Effect of fiber hybridization on durability related properties of ultra-high performance concrete.” Int. J. Concr. Struct. Mater. 11 (2): 315–325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40069-017-0195-6.
Su, J., H. Qin, C. Shi, and Z. Fang. 2021. “Experimental study on scale effect of flexural strength of steel fiber reinforced recycled concrete.” J. Yunnan Univ. Nat. Sci. 48 (7): 160–167.
Sun, C., B. Jin, J. Li, and X. Li. 2018a. “Research on mechanical properties of PVA fiber recycled concrete by orthogonal experiment.” J. Guangxi Univ. 43 (4): 1569–1575.
Sun, Q., Y. Qu, Z. Yu, X. Kong, and H. Lin. 2018b. “Research progress on mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete reinforced with steel fibers.” Concrete 5 (May): 6–10.
Sun, Z., B. Yang, B. Guan, S. Gao, C. Deng, and Y. Chen. 2020. “Research progress on mechanical properties of recycled concrete.” Environ. Eng. 38 (6): 221–227.
Teng, X., Y. Lu, X. Chen, S. Yu, and X. Jiang. 2016. “Tests for dynamic direct tensile of recycled aggregate concrete.” J. Vib. Shock 35 (9): 43–51. https://doi.org/10.13465/j.cnki.jvs.2016.09.008.
Wang, L., H. Zhang, L. Bai, H. Hong, J. Tao, and M. Addae. 2019. “Effect of fiber hybridization, strain rate and w/c ratio on the impact behavior of hybrid FRC.” Materials 12 (17): 2780. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12172780.
Wang, Z., Y. Ni, J. Cao, and W. Zhang. 2005. “Recent advances of dynamic mechanical behavior of concrete under impact loading.” Explos. Shock Waves 25 (6): 519–527.
Wu, X., S. Hu, D. Chen, and Z. Yu. 2005. “Impact compression experiment of steel fiber reinforced high strength concrete.” Explos. Shock Waves 25 (2): 125–131.
Xiao, J., L. Li, L. Shen, and C. S. Poon. 2015. “Compressive behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete under impact loading.” Cem. Concr. Res. 71 (May): 46–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.01.014.
Xiao, J., X. Ma, Q. Liu, H. Zhang, and Z. Duan. 2021. “Evolvement and research progress of concept for full recycled concrete.” J. Archit. Civ. Eng. 38 (2): 1–15.
Xie, J. H., Z. Zhang, Z. Y. Lu, and M. W. Sun. 2018. “Coupling effects of silica fume and steel-fiber on the compressive behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete after exposure to elevated temperature.” Constr. Build. Mater. 184 (Sep): 752–764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.035.
Xu, J., W. Li, J. Yang, and E. Bai. 2010. “Dynamic properties of fiber reinforced geopolymeric concrete.” China Civ. Eng. J. 43 (2): 127–132.
Xu, L., B. Li, Y. Chi, B. Huang, C. Li, and Y. Shi. 2018. “Experimental investigation on stress-strain relation of steel-polypropylene hybrid fiber reinforced concrete subjected to uniaxial cyclic compression.” J. Build. Struct. 39 (4): 140–152.
Yang, S., D. Gao, and J. Zhao. 2010. “Microstructure of fiber reinforced concrete with slag power after effect of high temperatures.” Supplement, J. Southeast Univ. 40 (S2): 102–106.
Yao, Y., H. Liu, J. Wang, L. Mi, and H. Li. 2019. “Research situation of modification of recycled concrete.” J. Mater. Sci. Eng. 37 (2): 339–344.
Yong, Y., and R. E. N. Qingwen. 2006. “Experimental study on mechanical performance of steel fibre reinforced concrete.” J. Hohai Univ. Nat. Sci. 34 (1): 92–94.
Yu, C., L. Li, and Y. Cai. 2021. “The application of scanning electron microscopy in the field of battery materials.” J. Chin. Electron. Microsc. Soc. 40 (3): 339–347.
Yuan, H., L. Zhu, X. Wang, and H. Yang. 2022. “Effect of microstructure on the mechanical properties of steel fiber-reinforced recycled concretes.” Materials 15 (11): 4018. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15114018.
Zamani, A. A. A., M. Ahmadi, A. Dalvand, and F. Aslani. 2023. “Effect of single and hybrid fibers on mechanical properties of high-strength self-compacting concrete incorporating 100% waste aggregate.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 35 (1): 04022365. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0004528.
Zhang, H., S. Ji, L. Wang, C. Jin, X. Liu, and X. Li. 2022. “Study on dynamic splitting tensile damage characteristics of basalt fiber reinforced concrete based on AE and DSCM.” J. Build. Eng. 57 (Oct): 104905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104905.
Zhang, H., L. Wang, L. Bai, M. Addae, and A. Neupane. 2019. “Research on the impact response and model of hybrid basalt-macro synthetic polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 204 (Apr): 303–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.201.
Zhang, H., L. Wang, K. Zheng, B. T. Jibrin, and P. G. Totakhil. 2018. “Research on compressive impact dynamic behavior and constitutive model of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 187 (Oct): 584–595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.164.
Zheng, S., U. Haussler-Combe, and J. Eibl. 1999. “New approach to strain rate sensitivity of concrete in compression.” J. Eng. Mech. 125 (12): 1403–1410. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1999)125:12(1403).
Zheng, X., J.-C. You, Y.-T. Zhu, and Y.-J. Li. 2022. “Applications of scanning electron microscopy in polymer characterization.” Acta Polymerica Sin. 53 (5): 539–560.
Zhong, H., L. Luo, N. Liu, and Y. Xiang. 2008. “Recycling status and prospect of waste concrete.” J. Guangdong Polytechnic Water Resour. Electr. Eng. (1): 66–68.
Zhou, H., J. Chai, H. Chai, and X. Shen. 2008. “Introduction of recycled aggregate concrete technology and current research situation.” Concrete 12 (May): 75–76.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 8 • August 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 19, 2023
Accepted: Dec 27, 2023
Published online: Jun 6, 2024
Published in print: Aug 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Nov 6, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Aggregates
- Bars (structure)
- Building materials
- Concrete
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Fabrics
- Fibers
- Infrastructure
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Pavements
- Recycling
- Steel fibers
- Strength of materials
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Tensile strength
- Transportation engineering
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.