International Journal of Engineering Studies

ISSN 0975- 6469 Volume 1, Number 2 (2009), pp. 139–148

© Research India Publications
http://www.ripublication.com/ijes.htm

Correlation of Experimental and Theoritical Strength

of Superplasticised Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete

1
P. Perumal and 2G. Elangovan
1
Professor & Head/Civil, Govt College of Engg, Salem, INDIA
Email : perumal2012@yahoo.co.in
2
Lecturer/ Civil, Anna University-Trichy, INDIA
E-mail: kgeln@rediffmail.com

Abstract

An attempt was made to present the experimental study on behaviour of

superplasticised Steel fibre reinforced concrete. The reference mix was
designed for M20 grade concrete. The dosage of superplastiser was optimized
as 0.8% to the reference mix. Workability, compressive strength, strain and
Youngs modulus were found out at 7days and 28 days. Experimental results
were compared with composite theory action of fibrous concrete and found
consisted with theoretical values. Also workability value & its structural
strength values were found increased considerably.

Key words: Steel fibre, slump, compressive strength, strain, Youngs modulus.

Introduction
Concrete made with Portland cement has certain characteristics: it is relatively strong
in compression but weak in tension, little resistance to cracking and tends to be brittle.
The weakness in tension can be overcome by the use of conventional rod
reinforcement and to some extent by the inclusion of a sufficient volume of certain
fibres. But for all it needs a material which inherently imparts tensile resistance in
concrete. FRC is one of the advances in concrete technology. The use of fibre
reinforced concrete (FRC) as a building material has been the target of extensive
research during the last few decades. FRC is often used in structures to resist cracks
that originated from stress caused by the volume changes in combination with
structural restraint. Fibres in concrete provide a means of arresting crack growth and
improving the load carrying capacity. Even though there are so many fibres available,
from the previous researches it is found that steel fibre is having more mechanical
140 P. Perumal and G. Elangovan

strength properties than any other fibre and super plasticizer was added the steel
fibrous as a chemical admixture which improves the workability of the concrete.

Research Significance
Nowadays construction chemicals like superplasticizers help disperse the cement
particles in the mix and thus mobility fluidity of the concrete mix are enhanced. From
the late 19701 s, the use of construction chemicals gained popularity in various
segments of construction industries. To produce more workable concrete the dosage
of superplasticiser plays vital role. J.Derle Thorpe4, in his paper he concluded that the
manufacturer’s recommended dosage does not provide the optimum dosage for
concrete and also he compared the performance of various admixtures used at
recommended dosage, at half the recommended dosage and double the recommended
dosage with the dosage recommended by the manufactures. But on the contrary, the
over dosage of superplasticiser may cause segregation at 1.5% superplasiciser5 .
Similarly there are lots of fibres in the market and there is confusion among the users
to choose the best one to withstand the strength and its dosages. To fill up the gap
steel fibre was chosen due to its higher specific gravity than concrete and having more
mechanical strength properties than any other fibre and super plasticizer was added
the steel fibrous as a chemical admixture with a view to improving the workability of
the concrete.

Preliminary Investigations
Materials
The materials used for casting the test specimens consisted of Type I cement of 53
grade, Locally available River sand and Hard blue granite of size 20 mm coarse
aggregates were used. The aggregates were in the angular shape. The properties of
ingredients are shown in Table I.

Table I: Properties Of Ingredients.

ITEMS PROPERTIES
Specific gravity of cement 3.1
Specific gravity of coarse aggregates 2.6
Specific gravity of fine aggregates 2.65
Grade of sand zone II
Water absorption of course aggregates 1.1%
Water absorption of fine aggregates 2.51%
Correlation of Experimental and Theoritical Strength 141

Super Plasticizer
The name of the company was FOSROC CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS. The
product name was CONPLAST SP337 which conforms the IS -9103-1979 and also
complies IS 5075 part 3.

Steel Fibre
Type : corrugated steel Fibre
Length : 36 mm
Diameter : 0.45 mm
Specific Gravity : 7.86
Young’s Modulus : 200 Gpa
Aspect ratio : 80
Elongation : ~3.5%
Water Absorption : 0%

Design of Reference Mix: BIS method is adopted to design the reference mix. Target
mean compressive strength at 28 days is 26.6 N/mm2. As per the design, the mix ratio
is RMX.

RMX: 1 : 1.55: 2.98: 0.49

NR : RMX + 0.8% of super plasticizer by weight of cement
1: 1.83 : 3.51 : 0.49 + 0.8% SP

NS 1: NR + 0.2% Steel Fibres

NS 2: NR + 0.4% Steel `Fibres
NS 3: NR + 0.6% Steel `Fibres
NS 4: NR + 0.8% Steel `Fibres
NS 5: NR + 1.0% Steel Fibres

Experimental Programme
The following tests were carried out on the specimens to determine their properties at
Plastic and Hardened stage.
Phase 1
The slump values and 7 day &28 day strengths in terms of Compression strength,
strains,Youngs Modulus were obtained for RMX, NR the reference mix.
Phase 2
To the reference mix, at each stage Steel Fibres were added at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%,
0.8% and 1.0 % by weight of cement. At each level, workability & strength values
were determined.

Workability Test
Workability tests were performed using standard sizes of Slump Mould as per ASTM
C 143-90a.
142 P. Perumal and G. Elangovan

Compression Test
The cubes were tested as per IS: 516 – 19593. The tests were done using an electro –
hydraulically operated on a 200t compression testing machine. The specimen is
placed in the bearing surface of the testing machine and compressive load was applied
on opposite faces axially, slowly at the rate of 14 MPa/minute.

Test Results and Discussion

Tests were carried out on each mix to evaluate workability and strength
characteristics.

Workability Test
Adequate workability is required for proper placement, consolidation and finishing of
concrete. The workability of FRC has been investigated at various volume of fibres in
the range of 125mm to 105 mm. From the experimental results it was found that there
has been slower slump loss even at higher volume of fibers. The results are furnished
in Table 2.

Table 2: Slump Value –mm.

Supr Vol of Steel
MIX Plast Fib Fibre
RMX 0 0 10
NR 0.8 0 125
NS1 0.8 0.2 120
NS2 0.8 0.4 120
NS3 0.8 0.6 115
NS4 0.8 0.8 105
NS5 0.8 1 100
Correlation of Experimental and Theoritical Strength 143

Slump Value

140 125 120 120 115

120
Slump value in mm

105 100
100
80
60
40
20 10
0
RMX NR NS1 NS2 NS3 NS4 NS5
Mixes

Figure 1: Results of Slump Cone Test.

Strength Tests
Compressive Strength Test
Table 3a shows the compression strength of fibrous concrete at 7 days and 28 days
curing. Fibrous concrete strength has been compared with superplasiciser NR and
without superplasiciser RMX. As soon as superplasticiser added the strength of
concrete increased 40.76 % and 7% at 7 and 28 days respectively. It has been found
that the compressive strength of concrete has been increasing with increasing of
volume of fibers. It has been observed that maximum increase in compressive
strength 54 % at 7days and 23.53 % at 28 days under volume of fiber 1% over RMX.

Table 3a: Compressive Strength.

7 Days strength 28 Days Strength

Supr Vol of Experimental % % Experimental % %
Plast Fib % Strength Imp Imp Strength Imp Imp
0 0 27.11 0.00 0.00 37.78 0.00 0.00
0.8 0 38.16 0.00 40.76 40.44 0.00 7.04
0.8 0.2 38.26 0.26 41.13 40.65 0.52 7.60
0.8 0.4 38.34 0.47 41.42 40.89 1.11 8.23
0.8 0.6 39.55 3.64 45.89 42.16 4.25 11.59
0.8 0.8 40.99 7.42 51.20 44.78 10.73 18.53
0.8 1 41.77 9.46 54.08 46.67 15.41 23.53
144 P. Perumal and G. Elangovan

Compressive Strength -7days

60 54.08
51.20
50
Strength MPa

45.89
40.76 41.13 41.42
40 41.77
39.55 40.99
38.16 38.26 38.34
30 27.11

20
7.42 9.46
10 0.00 0.00 3.64
0.26 0.47
0
RMX SP NS1 NS2 NS3 NS4 NS5
Mixes

Comp Strength 7days RMX-Ref SP-Ref

Figure 2: Improvement of Compression Strength - 7 Days.

Compressive Strength -28days

50 46.67
44.78
45 40.65 40.89
42.16
40.44
40 37.78
Strength MPa

35
30
23.53
25
18.53
20 15.41
15 11.59
10.73
7.60 8.23
10 7.04
4.25
5 0.52 1.11
0.00 0.00
0
RMX SP NS1 NS2 NS3 NS4 NS5
Mixes

Comp Strength 28 days RMX-Ref SP-Ref

Figure 3: Improvement of Compression Strength-28 Days.

Composite Theory
In a composite material consisting of a matrix reinforced with uniformly distributed
unidirectional continuous fibers. It is assumed that, when the material is stressed, the
fibres are firmly bonded so that no slipping occurs at the interface of the fibers and the
matrix. The theoretical load acting on a composite section per unit area carried by the
Correlation of Experimental and Theoritical Strength 145

fibers is expressed as FC. Similarly young’s modulus of concrete can be written as in

eqn 2.

FC = Ff Vf + Fm (1-Vf ) ………………………1
E c = Ef Vf + E m (1-Vf ) . ..................................2
As per IS 456:20002 Ec= 5000 √ Fck ……………………. 3

Based on the above equation the theoretical strength was compared with
experimental strength of concrete. It has been found that experimental values are
closely matched with the values got from equation 1. It can be referred by ratios
available in the table 4. Similarly strains and young’s modulus also were found
closely matched by table 5.

Table 4: Compressive Strength.

7 Days strength 28 Days Strength

Supr Vol of Experimental Theoretical Ratio Experimental Theoretical Ratio
Plast Fib % Strength Strength Strength Strength
0 0 27.11 27.11 1.00 37.78 37.78 1.00
0.8 0 38.16 38.16 1.00 40.44 40.44 1.00
0.8 0.2 38.26 38.59 0.99 40.65 40.87 0.99
0.8 0.4 38.34 39.02 0.98 40.89 41.30 0.99
0.8 0.6 39.55 39.46 1.00 42.16 41.72 1.01
0.8 0.8 40.99 39.89 1.03 44.78 42.15 1.06
0.8 1 41.77 40.32 1.04 46.67 42.58 1.10

Table 5: Strain and Young’s Modulus-28 days.

Strain Young’s Modulus Ec

Vol
Supr of Fib IS Code Composite Ratio IS Code Composite Ratio
Plast % Method Theory Method Theory
0 0 0.001229 0.001231 1.00 30732.72 30700.00 1.00
0.8 0 0.001272 0.001272 1.00 31796.23 31800.00 1.00
0.8 0.2 0.001275 0.001265 1.01 31878.68 32136.40 0.99
0.8 0.4 0.001279 0.001259 1.02 31972.64 32472.80 0.98
0.8 0.6 0.001299 0.001285 1.01 32465.37 32809.20 0.99
0.8 0.8 0.001338 0.001351 0.99 33458.93 33145.60 1.01
0.8 1 0.001366 0.001394 0.98 34157.72 33482.00 1.02
146 P. Perumal and G. Elangovan

7 days Compressive Strength

48

Compressive tsrength MPa

46

44

42

40

38

36

34
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Vol of fibres %
Experimenta Values Composite Theory

Figure 4: Compression Strength-7 Days.

28 days Compressive Strength

48

46
Compressive tsrength MPa

44

42

40

38

36

34
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

Vol of fibres %

Experimenta Values Composite Theory

Figure 5: Compression Strength- 28 Days.

Strain

0.001430

0.001380
Strain

0.001330

0.001280

0.001230

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

Volume of Fibres %

IS Code Composite Theory

Figure 6: Comparison of Stain values.

Correlation of Experimental and Theoritical Strength 147

Youngs Modulus

34500
youngs modulus MPa
33750

33000

32250

31500

30750

30000

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

Volume of Fibres %

IS Code Composite Theory

Figure 7: Comparison of Young’s Modulus.

Conclusions
Based on the results obtained in this investigation, the following conclusions were
drawn with respect to different volume of fibres on the structural behavior of Steel
fibre reinforced concrete.
• Experimental values are closely matched with the theoretical values by
• comparing their ratios.
• The slump goes on slightly decreasing with increase of fibers.
• The compressive strength of fibrous concrete found as gradually increasing
• with increase.
• The maximum value of strain is 0.001394 and Young’s Modulus 33482 Mpa
at volume of fibers 1%

Acknowledgement
The authors record their sincere thanks to the Management of Dr.Sivanthi Aditanar
College of Engineering,Tiruchendur for their constant support and providing
necessary facilities to carry out this investigation successfully.

Reference
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[2] IS: 456- 2000 “Indian standard code of practice for plain and reinforced
concrete”, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
148 P. Perumal and G. Elangovan

[3] IS: 516-1959 (Reaffirmed 1999), “Method of test for strength of concrete”.
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