ABSTRACT

Concrete is a composite material composed of water, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and
cement. Plain Cement Concrete is brittle and has low tensile strength. Brittleness can avoid by
adding fiber. Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) is concrete containing fibrous material which
increases its structural integrity. It contains short discrete fibers that are uniformly distributed
and randomly oriented. Addition of fibers to concrete makes it an isotropic material and converts
its brittle behavior to ductile behavior. Fibers include steel fibers, carbon fibers, glass
fibers, synthetic fibers and natural fibers, etc. Fibers are usually used in concrete to control
cracking due to plastic shrinkage and to drying shrinkage. They also reduce the permeability of
concrete and thus reduce bleeding of water. FRC has low impact strength. So we are using
different types of fibers to increase impact strength. A Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Concrete
(HFRC) is formed from a combination of different types of fibers, which differ in material
properties, remain bonded together when added in concrete and retain their identities and
properties.

In a Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Concrete (HFRC), two or more different types of fibers are
rationally combined to produce a cementitious composite that derives benefits from each of the
individual fibers and exhibits a synergistic response. The main aim of the present experimental
investigation was to use different volume fractions of carbon fiber(PAN TYPE) and continuously
crimped steel fibers to produce HFRC and thus to evaluate its performance under compression,
tension, flexure, shear and impact types of loading. Based on I.S. Code method of mix design,
proportion of different ingredients was obtained to get M25 grade concrete. Samples were
prepared with by varying the volume fraction of fibers from 0 to 1.25%. Total 10 different types
of HFRC matrices were considered for performance evaluation. The result shows that
replacement of optimum steel content with .5% carbon yields improved strength.
 CONTENT
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE NO
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1GENERAL
Concrete is a composite material composed of water, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and
cement. The amount of concrete used worldwide, ton for ton, is twice that of steel, wood,
plastics, and aluminum combined. Concrete use in the modern world is exceeded only by that of
naturally occurring water. Concrete is also the basis of a large commercial industry. In Portland
cement concrete (and other hydraulic cement concretes), when the aggregate is mixed together
with the dry cement and water, they form a fluid mass that is easily molded into shape. The
cement reacts chemically with the water and other ingredients to form a hard matrix which binds
all the materials together into a durable stone-like material that has many uses.Often, additives
are included in the mixture to improve the physical properties of the wet mix or the finished
material. Most concrete is poured with reinforcing materials (such as rebar) embedded to
provide tensile strength, yielding concrete. There are many types of concrete available, created
by varying the proportions of the main ingredients below. In this way or by substitution for the
cementitious and aggregate phases, the finished product can be tailored to its application with
varying strength, density, chemical and thermal resistance properties. Concrete has relatively
high compressive strength, but much lower tensile strength. Concrete has a very low coefficient
of thermal expansion and shrinks as it matures. All concrete structures crack to due extend, due
to shrinkage and tension. Concrete that is subjected to long duration forces is prone to creep.
Testes can be performed to ensure that the properties of concrete correspond to specifications for
the applications. In the case of HFRC many research works to study the behavior of the material
are in an ongoing stage.

1.2FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE (FRC)

The main disadvantage of the plain concrete is its brittle character. Fibers are introduced into the
concrete to make them ductile and such concrete is called fiber reinforced concrete. Fiber-
reinforced concrete (FRC) is concrete containing fibrous material which increases its structural
integrity. It contains short discrete fibers that are uniformly distributed and randomly oriented.
Fibers include steel fibers, glass fibers, synthetic fibers and natural fibers – each of which lead
varying properties to the concrete. In addition, the character of fiber-reinforced concrete changes
with varying concretes, fiber materials, geometries, distribution, orientation, and densities.

The concept of using fibers or as reinforcement is not new. Fibers have been used as
reinforcement since ancient times. In the 1900s, asbestos fibers were used in concrete. In the
1950s, the concept of composite materials came into being and fiber-reinforced concrete was one
of the topics of interest. Once the health risks associated with asbestos were discovered, there
was a need to find a replacement for the substance in concrete and other building materials. By
the 1960s, steel, glass (GFRC), and synthetic fibers such as polypropylene fibers were used in
concrete. Research into new fiber-reinforced concretes continues today.

FRC is the concrete which overcomes some of the limitations of ordinary concrete. Some of
advantages are

 High modulus of elasticity for effective long-term reinforcement, even in the hardened
concrete.

 Does not rust nor corrode and requires no minimum cover.

 Ideal aspect ratio (i.e. relationship between Fiber diameter and length) which makes them
excellent for early-age performance.

 Easily placed, Cast, Sprayed and less labor intensive than placing rebar.

 Greater retained toughness in conventional concrete mixes.

 Higher flexural strength, depending on addition rate.

 Can be made into thin sheets or irregular shapes.

 FRC possesses enough plasticity to go under large deformation once the peak load has
been reached.

Fibers are usually used in concrete to control cracking due to plastic shrinkage and to drying
shrinkage. They also reduce the permeability of concrete and thus reduce bleeding of water.
Some types of fibers produce greater impact–, abrasion–, and shatter–resistance in concrete.
Generally fibers do not increase the flexural strength of concrete, and so cannot replace moment–
resisting or structural steel reinforcement. Indeed, some fibers actually reduce the strength of
concrete. Some research indicated that using fibers in concrete has limited effect on the impact
resistance of the materials. This finding is very important since traditionally, people think that
ductility increases when concrete is reinforced with fibers. The results also indicated that the use
of micro fibers offers better impact resistance to that of longer fibers.

1.3 HYBRID FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE (HFRC)

The main disadvantage ofFRCis its low impact strength.Using different types of fibers increases
impact strength. A Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Concrete (HFRC) is formed from a combination of
different types of fibers, which differ in material properties, remain bonded together when added
in concrete and retain their identities and properties .In this study, steel fibre and carbon fibre are
used.

1.3.1 Steel Fibers

Steel fiber-reinforced concrete is basically a cheaper and easier to use form of rebar reinforced
concrete. Rebar reinforced concrete uses steel bars that are laid within the liquid cement, which
requires a great deal of preparation work but make for a much stronger concrete. Steel fiber-
reinforced concrete uses thin steel wires mixed in with the cement. This imparts the concrete
with greater structural strength, reduces cracking and helps protect against extreme cold. Steel
fiber is often used in conjunction with rebar or one of the other fiber types.Different types of
steel fibres- straight steel fibre, hooked ends steel fibres, round crimped steel fibres, flat
corrugated steel fibres.here we are using crimped steel fibre.

The features imparted on addition of steel fibers are:

 Improved structural strength

 Reduced steel reinforcement requirements

 Improved ductility

 Reduced crack widths and control of crack widths thus improving durability

 Improved impact & abrasion resistance

1.3.2 Carbon Fibers
Carbon fibers are a type of high-performance fiber available for civil engineering application. It
is also called graphite fiber or carbon graphite. Carbon fiber consists of very thin strands of
element carbon. Carbon fibers have high tensile strength and are very strong foe their size. In
fact, carbon fiber might be the strongest material. Carbon fibers have high elastic modulus and
fatigue strength than those of glass fibers. Considering service life, studies suggests that carbon
fiber reinforced polymers have more potential than glass fibers. They are inert, medically safe
and stronger than steel fibers and more chemically stable than glass fibers in an alkaline
environment. Each fiber is 5-10 microns in diameter
 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1GENERAL
Hybrid fiber reinforced concrete has been using in different countries for various uses. Various
research works are still going on in different institutions and universities foe better understanding
of material behavior. A large number of literatures are available which describes mechanical
properties of HFRC. But the number of studies related to properties of hybrid fiber reinforced
concrete with steel and carbon is very limited. The available literatures gives valuable data
regarding the mix design and material properties .Some of the literatures which are relevant to
the present study are reviewed here.

2.2 REVIEW OF EARLIER WORKS

AmitRana (2013) studied the influence of steel fibres on flexural strength of concrete. He found
out the optimum quantity of steel fibers required to achieve the maximum flexural strength for
M25 grade concrete. From his experimental work it was found that with increase in steel fibre
content in concrete there was a tremendous increase in Flexural strength. The experimental
program associated with this work involved the preparation of 11 mixes 0%, .75%, 1%, 1.25%,
1.5%,2%, 2.5%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6% fibre volume fraction. The results showing that at 1 % steel
fibre content flexural strength of 6.46 N/mm2 was observed against flexural strength 5.36 N/mm2
at 0% hence increase of 1.1% flexural strength was obtained.

Vikrant S. Vairagade, Kavita S. Kene(2012) studied the Introduction to Steel Fiber Reinforced
Concrete on Engineering Performance of Concrete. A number of laboratory experiments on
mechanical properties of SFRC have been done. In their investigations conducted uni-axial
compression test on fiber reinforced concrete specimens. The results shown the increase in
strength of 6% to 17% compressive strength, 18% to 47% split tensile strength, 22% to 63%
flexural strength and 8% to 25% modulus of elasticity respectively. The study on the
introduction of effect of steel fibers can be still promising as steel fiber reinforced concrete is
used for sustainable and long-lasting concrete structures. They conclude that the addition of steel
fiber into concrete creates low workable or inadequate workability to the concrete, therefore to
solve this problem of superplasticizer without affecting other properties of concrete may
introduce.

Job Thomas and AnanthRamaswamy (2010) studied Mechanical Properties of Steel Fiber-
Reinforced Concrete. They had an experimental program and an analytical assessment of the
influence of addition of fibers on mechanical properties of concrete. Models derived based on the
regression analysis of 60 test data for various mechanical properties of steel fiber-reinforced
concrete have been presented. The various strength properties studied are cube and cylinder
compressive strength, split tensile strength, modulus of rupture and postcracking performance,
modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, and strain corresponding to peak compressive stress. The
variables considered are grade of concrete, namely, normal strength 35 MPa, moderately high
strength 65 MPa, and high-strength concrete 85 MPa, and the volume fraction of the fiber
Vf = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%. The strength of steel fiber-reinforced concrete predicted using the
proposed models have been compared with the test data from the present study and with various
other test data reported in the literature. The proposed model predicted the test data quite
accurately. The study indicates that the fiber matrix interaction contributes significantly to
enhancement of mechanical properties caused by the introduction of fibers, which is at variance
with both existing models and formulations based on the law of mixtures.

S. M. Kinayekar , Dr. V. D. Gundakalle , KishorKulkarni (2014) studied The Effect of

Addition of Carbon Fibers on Mechanical Properties of High Strength Concrete. In the
experiment, cement content for HSC mix is replaced with fixed percentages of fly ash (10%) and
carbon fiber are added in volume fraction (0 to 0.60%), also the Carbon Fiber Reinforced
Polymer (CFRP) strip are placed in different layer (single, double and triple layer) with varying
width of CFRP strip (0 to 80 mm). The hardened concrete properties of HSC were studied and
the regression analysis was carried out on the experimental investigation. They test mechanical
properties. The addition of carbon fiber as fiber reinforcing material in HSC with 10 percent fly
ash show improved mechanical strength properties. High strength concrete with the addition of
80 mm width of CFRP strip exhibited higher increase in flexural strength and deflection than the
addition of volume fraction carbon fiber. Regression analysis of mechanical properties indicated
that the relationship between predicted strength of concrete is higher than experimental strength
of concrete and these proposed equations may be preferred for its simplicity and suitability to
analysis. The study concludes that carbon fibers can be effectively used as a reinforcing material
in HSC.

AbdoullahNamdar et.al. (2013) studied an experimental study on flexural strength

enhancement of concrete by means of small steel fibers. They used Small steel fibres of 10 mm,
20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm length. Quantity of steel fibre- 0.5% and 1% weight of concrete
has been selected. The addition of small steel fibers with different lengths and proportion have
experimentally been analyzed in terms of concrete flexural strength enhancement. The main
objectives of the study are related to the evaluation of the influence of steel fibers design on the
increase of concrete flexural characteristics and on the mode of failure. Two types of beams have
been investigated. The force level, deflection and time to failure of beams have been measured.
The shear crack, flexural crack and intermediate shear-flexural crack have been studied. The
steel fiber content controlled crack morphology. Flexural strength and time to failure of fiber
reinforce concrete could be further enhanced if, instead of smooth steel fibers, corrugated fibers
were used. Research outcomes indicate that this method is one of the easiest, cost effective
technique and less time consumer for enhancement of flexural strength of concrete beam. In
steel-concrete mixture design, different proportion and length of steel fibers have been used.
Two types of beams have been investigated. It has been understood that the type of mode failure
for concrete beam depends on small steel fiber proportion and distribution. The strain gauges
have been installed on beam, to measure level of applied force, deflection and time to failure of
beams. The morphology of crack has been studied. Shear crack, flexural crack and intermediate
shear-flexural crack have been observed. The steel fiber has been controlled shear crack
morphology. Increase quantity of fiber, improves flexural strength of beam. To improve flexural
strength of thin cross section concrete the proposed method is well suitable. In this research
work smooth steel fiber has been used. It is well known that deformed steel fiber and rough
surface steel fiber exhibit better performance.

ShrikantHarle, NiteshTantarpale(2013) The experimental study included finding out the

optimum quantity of steel fibers required to achieve the maximum strength for the M25 grade of
concrete. It showed that with the increase in steel fiber content in concrete the flexural strength
was increased in large content. The result showed that at 1% of steel fibers content flexural
strength of 6.46 N/mm2 while it was observed that the flexural strength of 5.36 N/mm2 was
obtained for 0% of steel fibers. The experimental study was carried out on the steel fiber
reinforced self compacting concrete (SFRSCC) by addition of different content of steel fibers.
The results showed that split tensile strength found to be increased with the addition of steel
fibers and the optimum fiber content for increasing the split tensile strength was found to be
1.75%. When the results were compared for SFRSCC and normal Self Compacting Concrete
(SCC) the increase in compressive strength was found to be 25.75% and flexural strength as
19.47%. The study conducted on the structural behavior of steel fibers reinforced fly ash
concrete under the compression as well as flexure. It was observed that the use of steel fiber in
fly ash containing concrete improved its structural properties like flexural tensile strength.
Enhancement of flexural tensile strength and compressive strength obtained by increasing the
percentage of fly ash up to 30% as well as by adding 1% of steel fiber in concrete. An
experimental study was conducted on high strength flowable mortar which was reinforced with
different percentage of steel fibers to determine the physical properties of concrete. The load-
deflection curve under a static flexural load were established and from that the results indicate
that if the fiber content is increased up to 1.75%, not only the flexural strength but also the
toughness indices are increased. Also the experimental results showed that by increasing the steel
fibers, the density, compressive strength and static modulus of elasticity are increased. The study
had shown that the addition of steel fibers in a concrete improved many mechanical properties of
concrete such as tensile strength, impact strength and toughness. The resulting concrete material
possesses higher tensile strength, consolidated response and ductility. From the experimental
data it had been proved that concrete compressive strength, fiber content and the fiber aspect
ratio are the major effectual parameters for specifying the tensile strength of fiber content. The
experimental investigation was carried out with the incorporation of steel fibers, silica fume and
cement had been shown that a strong composite was produced with superior crack resistance,
improved ductility and strength behavior. The experimental results were compared with the
mathematically modeled expressions. Regression analysis was of large number of experimental
results were carried out and from that the statistical model was prepared. All the properties of
concrete such as compressive strength and modulus of elasticity were increased by addition of
steel fibers. The review study was carried out for the introduction of steel fibers to obtain steel
fiber reinforced concrete in sustainable and long-lasting concrete structures. The study found that
the workability can be adequate to the concrete by introducing the super plasticizer without
affecting the other properties.
P U Woei Chen and D D L Chung (2012) studied concrete reinforced with up to 0.2 vol % of
short carbon fibres. Used short pitch based carbon fibres in the amount of 0.5% by weight of
cement.0ptimum fibre length was such that the max fibre length decreased from 12mm before
mixing to 7mm after mixing. . They found out compressive strength increase of 95% @ 28 days
of curing flexural strength increase of 85%, flexural toughness increase of 205%The min carbon
fiber content for flexural strength increase was 0.1 vol%.

2.3 OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE PRESENT STUDY

All the literatures discussed above gives an idea about the effect of carbon and steel fibre
addition on concrete and the importance of addition of fibers. Only limited studies were reported
on the hybrid fiber reinforced concrete. Under this context there is an importance to conduct
study on HFRC with steel and carbon fiber.

2.3.1 OBECTIVE OF THE WORK

The main objectives of the present investigation are:
 To prepare M25 grade conventional concrete mix and to test the specimens for
mechanical properties
 To prepare FRC with steel fibre at 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25% of volume
of concrete and determine the optimum dosage of steel.
 To prepare HFRC by replacing steel with carbon at 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00 and
1.25% of optimum dosage of steel
 To study the mechanical properties of HFRC with steel fibres and carbon fibres

2.3.2 SCOPE OF THE WORK

1. The study is limited to concrete of grade M25.
2. Here no admixture used.
3. Fibers used this study are steel and carbon whose optimum combination is found out.
4. This study is done to find the mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete.
 CHAPTER 3

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME
3.1 GENERAL
The main objective is to study the mechanical properties of HFRC with steel and carbon fibres.
For this, control mix was designed and their mechanical properties were tested. Then FRC were
prepared with steel fibre at 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25% of volume of concrete. The
mechanical properties of this single fibre reinforced concrete are tested and optimum dosage is
obtained. Then carbon fibre is added to replace steel fibre at 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00% of
optimum dosage of steel. Then mechanicalproperties of HFRC mixes were tested. A total of 30
cubes, 10 cylinders and 10 beams were cast.

3.2 MATERIAL PROPERTIES

The main ingredients used for the manufacture of HFRC are cement, fine aggregate, coarse
aggregate and water. In addition these steel and carbon fibers were also used. Properties of
materials were found out by conducting the appropriate tests and the results obtained for the mix
design purpose.

3.2.1 Cement

Physical and chemical properties of cement play a vital role in developing strength of fresh
concrete. Fineness affects water requirements for consistency. From strength point of view,
cement should be finely ground and contains a fair amount of C3S. So in this study, Ordinary
Portland cement (OPC) 33 grade was used and the properties found out were tabulated in
table 3.1
 Table 3.1 properties of cement

Particulars Values

Grade OPC 33

Manufacturer ULTRATECH

Specific gravity 2.91

Standard consistency, % 31.5

Fineness, % 7

Initial setting time, min 35

Final setting time, min 600

3.2.2 Fine aggregate

Manufactured sand passing through 4.75 mm sieve and retained on 150 micron was used for the
present investigation. Standard testing procedures were adopted and the results were shown in
table 3.2 and 3.3. Fine aggregate used conforms to IS 383-1970 specification( ZONE II)

Table 3.2 properties of fine aggregate

Particulars Values

Fineness modulus 3.69

Uniformity Co-efficient 7.33

Effective size 0.15

Specific gravity 2.59

Water absorption (%) 2.67

 Table 3.3 sieve analysis of fine aggregate

Sieve size Weight % weight Cumulative % Percentage IS Range

(mm) retained in retained(%) weight retained weight for Zone II
each sieve passing
(g)

4.75 4 0.4 0.4 99.6 90-100

2.36 84 8.4 8.8 91.2 75-100

1.18 305 30.5 39.3 60.7 55-90

0.60 175 17.5 56.8 43.2 35-59

0.30 150 15.0 71.8 28.2 8-30

0.15 193 19.3 91.1 8.9 0-10

0.075 89 8.9 100 0 0

100
90
80
70
% finer

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.01 0.1 1 10

log sieve size (mm)

Fig 3.1: Grading curve for fine aggregate

3.2.3 Coarse aggregate
Crushed aggregate of maximum size of 20mm and a minimum size of 4.75mm were used. The
aggregate was selected based on the size of the test specimen. The properties were determined in
lab using standard testing procedures were listed in table 3.4 and 3.5.

Table 3.4 properties of coarse aggregate

Particulars Values
Fineness Modulus 7.08
Uniformity Co-efficient 1.38
Effective size 10.5
Specific gravity 2.64
Water absorption (%) 0.69

100
90
80
70
60
% finer

50
40
30
20
10
0
0.1 1 10 100
Log sieve size

Fig 3.2 Grading curve for coarse aggregate

 Table 3.5 sieve analysis of coarse aggregate

Sieve Weight retained %weight % %weight passing

size(mm) (g) retained (%) Cumulativeweight
retained

80 0 0 0 100

40 0 0 0 100

20 368 12.267 12.267 87.733

10 2510 83.667 95.934 4.066

4.75 122 4.067 100 0

2.36 0 0 100 0

1.18 0 0 100 0

0.60 0 0 100 0

0.30 0 0 100 0

0.15 0 0 100 0

3.2.4Water

Water used should be free from impurities. Water from college water supply system was used for
both concreting and curing purposes.

3.2.5 Steel fibre

Crimped steel fibres (fig.3.3) were used in this investigation. Steel fibres were added as a volume
fraction with respect to the volume of concrete. The properties of steel fibres are listed in table
3.6.

Fig 3.3 Steel fibres

Table 3.6 properties of steel fibres

Length 25 mm

Diameter 0.5 mm

Young’s modulus 2x105Mpa

Density 79000N/m3

3.2.6 Carbon fibres

Carbon fibre used were of PAN type (fig. 3.4). They were used to replace the optimum steel fibre
dosage by volume fraction of concrete. The properties of carbon fibres are listed in table3.7.
 Fig 3.4 PAN type carbon fibres

Table 3.7 properties of carbon fibres

Density 1.85 g/cc

Length 10 mm

Diameter 7 microns

Aspect ratio 666.67

3.3 MIX PROPORTION

3.3.1 Introduction
Mix design can be defined as the process of selecting suitable ingredients of the concrete and
determining their relative proportions with the object of producing concrete of certain minimum
strength and durability as economically as possible. IS code 10262-1082and IS code 456-2000
were used for designing OPC33 concrete.

3.3.2 Mix design

1. Target strength, fck =fck+k.s

=25+ (1.65x4)=31.6 N/mm2

 Standard deviation from table 1 IS 10262-2009

2. Selection of water cement ratio

Water cement ratio required for the target mean strength of 31.6 N/mm2is 0.45.
(From IS 10262-2009)

3. Selection of water content

From table 5, IS 456-2000, the maximum water content for 20mm aggregate equal to
186 litres (for 25 to 50mm slump range).

Estimated water content for 75 mm slump = 186 + (3x186/100)

=191.58 L

=190 L

4. Selection of air content

From table 3, IS 10262- 1982 for 20mm aggregate size air content is 2% volume of
concrete.

5. Determination of cement content

water cement ratio = 0.45

water = 190 L

cement = 190/0.45

=422 kg/m3

~350 kg/m3

From table 5 of IS 456-2000 minimum cement content for severe exposure condition.

350> 250 kg/m3

6. Determination of coarse and fine aggregate
V =[ W + c/sc+ 1/p xfa/Sfa ] x 1/1000

From table 3, IS 10262-1982 for the maximum size of aggregate of 20 mm the amount of
entrapped air in the wet concrete is 2%. Taking this int account and applying equations.

V = absolute volume of fresh concrete, which is equal to gross volume (m3)

minus the volume of entrapped air

= 0.98 m3

W = mass of water per m3of concrete

=190 kg/m3

Sc= specific gravity of cement =2.91

C = Mass of cement (kg) per m3 of concrete

= 350 kg/m3

P = ratio of FA to total aggregate by absolute volume = 0.35

fa, ca = total mass of FA and CA (kg) per m3 of concrete

Sca = Specific gravity of CA =2.64

Sfa = specific gravity of FA = 2.59

w/c ratio 0.45, cement = 350 kg/m3

0.98 =[ 190 +350/2.91 +1/0.35 x fa/2.59 ] x1/1000

fa = 607.10 kg/m3
 ca = (1-p) x fa x Sca/(Sfa x p)

=(1-0.35) X 607.10x2.64/(0.35x2.59)

=1149.24 kg/m3

Table 3.8 mix proportion for conventional concrete grade M25

Water 190 Litre

Cement 350 kg/m3

FA 607.10 kg/m3

CA 1149.24 kg/m3

Thus themix ratio becomes 1: 1.73: 3.28

Water cement ratio = 0.45

3.4 CASTING OF TEST SPECIMENS

3.4.1 Test specimens

To the conventional concrete mix steel fibres are added at 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and
1.25% by volume fraction. Then carbon fibres are added to replace steel fibres at 0.25%, 0.50%,
0.75% and 1.00%. Thus hybrid fibre concrete mix is obtained. To study the different mechanical
properties such as compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength and modulus of
elasticity, specimens were prepared.
3.4.2 Preparation of conventional concrete mix

The mixing is done in tilting drum mixer. First coarse aggregates are added to the mixer after
wetting the drum with water. Then fine aggregate are added and they are allowed to mix
thoroughly for 1 min. Then water is added to the mix and mixed for 3 mins. Fibres are further
added to the mix and mixing is done. Then the drum is tilted and mix is poured into pan. The
specimens are cast in standard moulds of cube, cylinder and beam. Vibrating machine is used for
uniformly placing the concrete mix in the mould. The specimens are demoulded after 24 hours.
They are put in the curing tank for curing. The details of specimens are given in table 3.9.

Table 3.9 Details of test specimens

Sl no Specimen Size(mm) Test Number

1 Cube 150 x 150 Compressive strength 30

2 Cylinder 150 x 300 Split tensile strength 10

3 Cylinder 150 x 300 Modulus of elasticity 10

4 Beam 500 x100 x 100 Flexural stength 10

3.5 TESTING OF SPECIMENS

The control mix and SFRC are tested for the mechanical properties listed below. The optimum
steel fibre is selected only by testing the SFRC compressive strength. The HFRC mixes are
tested for all the below mechanical properties.

3.5.1 Compressive strength

Testing of hardened concrete is important for controlling the quality of concrete. The main
purpose of testing hardened concrete is to conform that the concrete has developed required
strength. The compressive strength is one of the most important properties of hardened concrete
and in general it is the characteristic value for classification of concrete in various codes.
Compression test of cubes is the most common test conducted on hardened concrete because it is
an easy test to perform and most of the desirable properties ofconcrete are comparatively related
to its compressive strength. The compression test was carried on cubical specimen of size
150mm x 150mm x 150mm in a compression testing machine of capacity 2000KN, at aloading
rate of 14N/mm2. The test was done for determining the 3rd, 7th and 28th day compressive
strength.

Fig 3.5. Compressive strength test

3.5.2 Split tensile strength

The split tensile strength test is a well-known indirect test used for determining the tensile
strength of concrete. Test was carried out on concrete cylinder of size 150mm x 300mm. In split
tensile strength test, Concrete cylinder was placed with its axis horizontal, between the loading
surface of a compression testing machine and the load was applied until failure occurred due to a
splitting in the plane, containing the vertical diameter of the specimen. In order to reduce the
magnitude of high compression stress near the points of application of the load, narrow packing
strips of plywood were placed between the specimen and loading plates of the testing machine.
The split tensile strength was determined after 28day water curing.

Fig 3.6.split tensile strength test

3.5.3 Flexural strength

Beam tests are found to be dependable to measure flexural strength property of concrete. Beam
specimens of size 100mm x 100mmx 500mm were tested for determining the flexural strength.
Two-point loading was applied and breaking load was noted. The flexural strength was
determined after 28 day curing.

Fig 3.7 flexural strength test

3.5.4 Modulus of elasticity

The modulus of elasticity was determined by subjecting cylinder specimen having 150mm
diameter and 300 mm height to uniaxial compression. The corresponding deformation by means
of compressometer has been taken at each increment of loads. The gauge length of
compressometer is 20 cm. Dial gauge of compressometer gives the deformation under each
increment of loading. Dial gauge reading is divided by gauge length will give the strain and load
applied divided by area of cross section gives the stresses. A series of reading were taken and the
stress-strain graphs were plotted. From the stress-strain graph, the modulus of elasticity was
obtained as the slope of the graph. The modulus of elasticity was determined after 28 day water
curing.

Fig 3.8 Modulus of elasticity

 CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND DISSCUSSION

4.1 GENERAL

The specimens are tested for various properties after 28 days of curing. Compressive strength,
split tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity were calculated for the
specimens.

4.2 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

4.2.1 Compressive strength

For compressive strength test, cube specimens of conventional concrete were tested at 3, 7, and
28th days of casting. To find the optimum steel fibre dosage, steel fiber is added at 0.25%, 0.50%,
0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25% of volume of concrete. Cubes were cast for 3, 7, 28 days and they were
tested. Results are shown in table 4.1 and fig 4.1
 Table 4.1 cube compressive strength for SFRC specimens

Specimens 3rd day compressive 7th day compressive 28th day

strength (N/mm2) strength (N/mm2) compressive
strength (N/mm2)

Conventional mix 10.00 20.80 36.40

SFRC- 0.25% steel 13.60 18.66 20.44

SFRC- 0.50% steel 17.33 22.55 26.67

SFRC- 0.75% steel 22.80 25.60 36.44

SFRC- 1.00% steel 28.80 33.20 53.33

SFRC- 1.25% steel 19.11 22.40 38.67

60
50
Compressive strength

40
30
(N/mm2)

20
10 3rd day
0 7th day
Conventional mix

SFRC- 0.25%

SFRC- 0.50%

SFRC- 0.75%

SFRC- 1.00%

SFRC- 1.25%

28th day

Fig 4.1 Cube Compressive strength variation of SFRC

The addition of steel fibre into CM mix at 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25% gradually
increased the compressive strength. The maximum fibre volume fraction of 1.00% yielded
53.33 N/mm2.

The optimum steel fibre was replaced with 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00% carbon fibre by
volume fraction. The compressive strength is tested for 3, 7, and 28 days. Results are shown in
table 4.2 and fig 4.2.

Table 4.2 cube compressive strength for HFRC specimens

Specimens 3rd day 7th day compressive 28th day compressive

compressive strength (N/mm2) strength (N/mm2)
strength (N/mm2)

HFRC- S100C0 28.80 33.20 53.33

HFRC- S75C25 12.56 20.22 35.56

HFRC- S50C50 27.60 32.24 52.22

HFRC- S25C75 26.54 31.33 49.27

HFRC- S0C100 25.12 31.30 49.26

 60
Compressive strength (N/mm2)

50
40
30 3rd day
20
10 7th day

0
HFRC- HFRC- HFRC- HFRC- 28thday
S75C25 S50C50 S25C75 S0C100

Fig 4.2 Cube compressive strength variation of HFRC

The 0.50% replacement of optimum steel with carbon fibre showed a reduction in compressive
strength with reference to SFRC mix for28 days.

4.2.2 Flexural strength

Flexural strength values for SFRC beam of size 100 x100 x500 mm on 28 day are shown in
table 4.3 and fig 4.3
 Table 4.3 Flexural strength of SFRC

Specimens 28th day flexural strength

(N/mm2)
Conventional concrete 5.56
SFRC-0.25% steel 6.00
SFRC-0.50%steel 6.10
SFRC-0.75%steel 6.60
SFRC-1.00%steel 6.66
SFRC-1.25%steel 6.90

8
7
Flexural strength (N/mm2)

6
5
4
3
2
1 28th day
0
Conventional mix

SFRC- 0.25%

SFRC- 0.50%

SFRC- 0.75%

SFRC- 1.00%

SFRC- 1.25%

Fig 4.3 Flexural strength variation of SFRC

From the result it is clear that flexural strength of SFRC is higher than conventional concrete.
While incorporating, the flexural strength is tested for 28 days. The result are shown in table 4.4
and fig 4.4.

Table 4.4 Flexural strength of HFRC

Specimen 28th day flexural strength

(N/mm2)
HFRC-S75C25 7.4
HFRC-S50C50 7.5
HFRC-S25C75 7.22

HFRC-S0C100 6.2

8
7
Flexural strength (N/mm2)

6
5
4
3 28th day
2
1
0
HFRC- S75C25 HFRC- S50C50 HFRC- S25C75 HFRC- S0C100

Fig 4.4 Flexural strength variation of HFRC

For hybrid fibre combination, the flexural strength increased with reference to SFRC mix.
4.2.3 Split tensile strength

The split tensile value for both ordinary concrete and SFRC cylinder of size 150mm x300mm for
28 days is shown in table 4.5 and fig 4.5. Steel fibres are added from 0.25% to 1.25% of volume
of concrete.

Table 4.5 split tensile strength of SFRC

Specimens 28th day Split Tensile Strength

(N/mm2)

Conventional mix 6.72

SFRC- 0.25% steel 6.73

SFRC- 0.50% steel 6.91

SFRC- 0.75% steel 7.29

SFRC- 1.00% steel 7.34

SFRC- 1.25% steel 7.59

 7.8
Split Tensile Strength (N/mm2) 7.6
7.4
7.2
7
6.8
6.6
6.4 28th day
6.2
SFRC- 0.25%

SFRC- 0.50%

SFRC- 0.75%

SFRC- 1.00%

SFRC- 1.25%
Conventional

steel

steel

steel

steel

steel
mix

Fig 4.5 variation of split tensile strength for SFRC

The split tensile strength of normal control mix for 28 days was 6.72 N/mm2. With addition of
steel fibre, split tensile strength increased with increase in fibre volume fraction.

The split tensile strength for hybrid fiber combinations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and
1.25% at 28 days are shown in table 4.6 and fig 4.6

Specimens 28th day Split Tensile Strength

(N/mm2)

HFRC- S75C25 7.2

HFRC- S50C50 7.29

HFRC- S25C75 6.94

HFRC- S0C100 6.86

Fig 4.5 Split tensile strength of HFRC

 7.4
Split Tensile Strength 7.3
7.2
7.1
(N/mm2)

7
6.9 28th day
6.8
6.7
6.6
HFRC- HFRC- HFRC- HFRC-
S75C25 S50C50 S25C75 S0C100

Fig 4.5 variation of split tensile strength for HFRC

For the hybrid combination of 50% steel fibre and 50% carbon fibre, the split tensile decreased
when compared to SFRC mix for 28 days. Thus tensile strength decreased with addition of
hybrid fibre.

4.2.4 Modulus of elasticity

The values of modulus of elasticity for both ordinary concrete and SFRC cylinder of size
150mm x 300mm are shown in table 4.6 and fig 4.6
 Table 4.6 Modulus of elasticity of SFRC

Specimens 28th day Modulus of Elasticity

(N/mm2)

Conventional mix 27.70

SFRC- 0.25% steel 30.12

SFRC- 0.50% steel 31.43

SFRC- 0.75% steel 32.56

SFRC- 1.00% steel 35.49

SFRC- 1.25% steel 34.16

40
35
Modulus of Elasticity (N/mm2)

30
25
20
15
10
5 28th day
0
SFRC- 1.00%
SFRC- 0.25%

SFRC- 0.50%

SFRC- 0.75%

SFRC- 1.25%
Conventional mix

steel
steel

steel

steel

steel

Fig 4.6 variation of modulus of elasticity of SFRC

The modulus of elasticity for steel fibre volume fraction of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00%
were 30.12 N/mm2, 31.43 N/mm2, 32.56 N/mm2, and 35.59 N/mm2 respectively. Thus 1.00% of
steel fibre gave high modulus of elasticity for 28 days.

The hybrid combination of steel and carbon fibre is tested for modulus of elasticity for 28 days.
Their results are shown in table 4.6 and fig 4.6.

Table 4.6 modulus of elasticity of HFRC

Specimens 28th day Modulus of Elasticity

(N/mm2)

HFRC- S75C25 36.18

HFRC- S50C50 37.56

HFRC- S25C75 36.49

HFRC- S0C100 -

40
Modulus of Elasticity

30
(N/mm2)

20
28th day
10

0
HFRC- S75C25 HFRC- S50C50 HFRC- S25C75 HFRC- S0C100

Fig 4.6 Variation of modulus of elasticity for HFRC

In case of hybrid fibre combination, modulus of elasticity increases with reference to SFRC.
4.2.6 Summary of mechanical properties