Evolution of the Mechanical Properties and Cracking Pattern of Cementitious Composites Reinforced with Hooked Steel Fibers

Degradation and disintegration of concrete depend on the formation of cracks and micro cracks intensively. With increase loading, micro cracks are linked together and form cracks. To solve the problem and to provide the homogenous condition, a series of thin fibers having been spread through the volume of concrete are used in the several last decades and they are called as fibers. In the study, the steel fibers integrated in the different percentages of weight have been investigated. The performance of fibers has been studied how to increase compressive strength, tensile strength, and bending strength. To survey compressive strength, tensile strength, and bending strength in the produced concrete, three plans of mixtures including the different percentages of the steel fibers have been examined. The results show that compressive strength in the concrete reinforced with steel fibers relies mainly on the quality of mortar. The added steel fibers cause the inconsiderable changes in the compressive strength of concrete. The results demonstrate that the concrete reinforced with steel fibers increase tensile strength considerably. The more the volume of steel fibers is, the more tensile strength is. Pozzolanic materials used in the specimens reinforced in steel fibers improve tensile strength. To investigate bending strength of the specimens reinforced with steel fibers, the study has used 4-point loading system. Generally, steel fibers used in the concrete increase bending strength of the concrete. The results indicate the increased steel fibers enhance bending strength in three plans of mixtures. Among the specimen reinforced with steel fibres, the most mechanical properties are related to the plans including 1, 1.5, and 2 percentages of dramix hooked steel fibers in the study. To examine crack pattern of the matrix tensile specimen reinforced with the different percentages of fibers, parameters such as the number of cracks, width of cracks, and distance between them are investigated.