Property assessment of steel–fibre reinforced concrete made with silica fume

When silica fume was used as a cement replacement, it enhanced the effectiveness of added steel fibre on the properties of concrete. Three different steel fibres were used at 0.0%, 0.5% and 1.0% by volume of concrete. Silica fume was introduced at 8% by weight of cement into the concrete mixtures that were made with water–cement ratios of 0.46 and 0.36. The early- and later-stage compressive strength, the electrical resistivity, the water absorption and the dynamic frequency of the specimens were examined. The results indicate that the inclusion of steel fibre in silica fume specimens led to the highest long-term compressive strength and the lowest resistivity. Furthermore, an improvement in the dynamic frequency and a decrease in water absorption were attained in 1% steel fibre silica fume specimens.

► Silica fume enhanced the mixture consistency.
► It promoted the dispersion of fibres in the mixtures and increased the 1 year strength.
► The fibre dispersion was assessed by electrical resistance measurement.
► The water absorption decreased when 1% fibre and silica fume were used together.