Shrinkage and flexural behaviour of free and restrained hybrid steel fibre reinforced concrete

The effect of restrained shrinkage on the mechanical performance of concrete and steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) requires more investigation, especially when using recycled tyre steel fibre (RTSF). This paper examines the free and restrained shrinkage strains and the mechanical performance of seven SFRC mixes. Results show that both free and restrained average shrinkage strains are very similar in all blends of fibres and they exhibited non-uniform shrinkage through the height of the section. All examined blends meet strength requirements by MC-2010 for fibres to replace part of the conventional reinforcement in RC structures.