Magnetic orientation of steel fibres in self-compacting concrete beams: Effect on failure behaviour

The magnetic orientation of steel fibres in transparent silicone oil and in fresh, self-compacting concrete (SCC) beams is studied experimentally. The effect of the generated fibre locations and orientations on the failure response of the SCC beams is determined by means of three-point bend tests. A relatively small coil was designed for the magnetic orientation of single and multiple fibres in the transparent silicone oil. The time required for orienting a single fibre was measured for a range of magnetic fluxes, which showed to strongly decrease with increasing magnetic field strength. The presence of gravel on the fibre orientation behaviour was considered in order to mimic the influence by a concrete aggregate, indicating that the gravel does not prevent rotations and chain formations of fibres. A larger coil was developed for the magnetic orientation of fibres in freshly casted SCC beams. The energy absorption capacity of SCC beams subjected to three-point bending scales approximately proportionally with the number of “well-oriented fibres” bridging the catastrophic failure crack, which emphasizes the importance of adequately orienting steel fibres with the magnetic orientation technique.